“Clarke is truly believable as the debauched darling of the piece”
Having missed opening night due to the prediction of ‘heavy snow’ (no snow appeared), thespyinthestalls finally made it to the Hope Theatre with just a week or so before this unusual two hander closes.
Directed by Rafaella Marcus, The Wild Party is an updated spin on Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 ‘poem’ (it’s length more of a novel than a poem), set around the decadent Hollywood party lifetsyle of Queenie, a fictional Vaudeville starlet and her lover, Burrs.
Though the poem goes into great detail of the depravity and licentious behaviour of the hosts and their guests, this version relies on just two actors to depict everything and in doing so loses a lot of the carnal energy evoked in the original.
Anna Clarke as Queenie is impressive. She engages the audience even before they’ve taken to their seats. Reading through her biography, it’s clear to see why this style of production suits her. Joey Akubeze as Burrs had a fine voice and is clearly very talented, but this role just didn’t seem right for him. The toxic chemistry that should exist between the lovers just wasn’t there (despite a pleasing rendition of Britney’s Toxic) and at times Akubeze looked slightly uncomfortable in his role.
This isn’t a bad show. Let’s get that straight. My favourite audience comment after the show was “I really enjoyed it. I have no idea what it was about though”, and I’d agree that without having some previous knowledge of the work, you’d struggle to keep up, but still find the show watchable.
It’s clearly a work that is admired. There has been a film made of it (though not well received) and two stage musicals. It’s possibly bad timing that Mingled Yarn’s production of The Wild Party at the Hope comes just a month before the musical opens at ‘The Other Palace’ (formerly St James theatre) with some theatrical creative and acting heavyweights behind it. A brave choice to put on this slimmed down version.
A good attempt and Anna Clarke is truly believable as the debauched darling of the piece. Alas the mise–en–scène and the seemingly endless gobbling of fruit failed to recreate the indecorous atmosphere this piece needed.
The Wild Party is at The Hope Theatre until January 28th
