Tag Archives: Peter Rae

Don Juan – 4 Stars

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Juan

Don Juan

Hoxton Hall

Reviewed – 27th April 2018

★★★★

“The music is beautifully chosen and forms a beguiling and well-crafted backdrop”

 

Molière’s daring script, based on a story by Tirso de Molina, was published in 1665, with a milder version written by Corneille in 1677 at the request of Molière’s widow. Director, Anastasia Revi, makes bold, enriching changes to the play, emphasising a less considered aspect of Don Juan as a man who is victim of his own desires. The initial scene setting is brilliantly clever, playing with the audience’s preconceptions, and the added ‘Illusion of Love’ character creates a visual dimension to Don Juan’s vulnerability. In addition, placing the action at the Venice carnival rather than Sicily allows for a more playful atmosphere. In the play, newly-wed Don Juan is pursued by vengeful relatives while embarking on further amorous adventures. After fleeing, unrepentant, he experiences a series of supernatural encounters before finally confronting his failings, and fate.

Peter Rae is superb as the free-thinking, amoral Don Juan, consumed by his weakness for women and without a care for the distresses he leaves behind. He puts across a self-assured nonchalance as he engages in entertaining, philosophical discussions with the devout yet ambitious Sganarelle, wonderfully portrayed by David Furlong. Furlong perfectly balances the servant’s need to challenge his master’s views while being careful not to risk his job. There are a couple of instances where we enjoy the valet’s own take on Don Juan, but it is the chemistry of their relationship that defines this interpretation and drives the narrative.

The discarded yet defiant Elvira is played by Emmanuela Lia in a strong performance as she scorns her husband’s deceit until recalled by her faith to the convent. There is a wealth of distinctive characters in the talented hands of Benoît Gouttenoire and Samuel Lawrence who, behind Venetian masks, appear as men, women, young and old. In particular, Lawrence’s Pierrot and Don Luis stand out. Signe Preston as the Illusion of Love gracefully weaves round the theatre enticing Don Juan’s susceptibility.

Anastasia Revi’s inspired direction assimilates the whole theatre space, involving the audience in the action and giving energy to the production. The music is beautifully chosen and forms a beguiling and well-crafted backdrop, at times providing its own comedy. The resourceful set design by Valentina Sanna uses a handful of props to conjure up a privileged lifestyle and she makes good use of height on the small stage. Chuma Emembolu’s lighting articulates the contrasting moments with precision and sensitivity, and the costumes (Valentina Sanna) and wigs (Umberto Fiorilla) add a touch of disguise to the carnival spirit. As minor comments, the sound is slightly too loud during certain sections of dialogue and the masks occasionally muffle the speech.

Theatre Lab’s ‘Don Juan’ transforms the cliché of seductiveness into an almost endearing cynicism, a weakness of indulgence rather than the acme of male prowess, and in doing so, the female element becomes more dominant and the passages of philosophising make more sense. With an excellent cast and lively staging this is somehow both rollicking entertainment, and food for thought.

 

Reviewed by Joanna Hetherington

Photography by Panayis Chrysovergis

 


Don Juan

Hoxton Hall until 12th May

 

Related
Previously at the venue
Oranges & Elephants | ★★★ | January 2018

 

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Review of Jamaica Inn – 5 Stars

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Jamaica

Jamaica Inn

Tabard Theatre

Reviewed – 10th November 2017

★★★★★

“A faithful adaptation of the book executed with a boldness and flair all its own”

 

I was intrigued to see how a story carved from the expanse of the desolate Bodmin Moor and battered by wild wind and rain could be told in the intimate setting of the Tabard Theatre. The dim, misty lighting and Maira Vazeou’s set design – simple, yet containing the essential elements of the surrounding marshland and stark life – beautifully foreshadow this gothic tale by Daphne du Maurier. Set in the 1820s, it follows young Mary Yellan, recently orphaned, as she arrives at Jamaica Inn to stay with her aunt and uncle. Her headstrong nature embroils her in its sinister secrets and deceptions which she neither wants to discover, nor can resist.

Lisa Evans’ adaptation is impressively close to the novel, keeping much of the original dialogue and drama to maintain the suspense and balance. The small space is used to create a sense of claustrophobia and isolation, leaving the outside to rely more heavily on the imagination. The cast is excellent with an especially spell-binding performance from Helen Bang as Aunt Patience, while Anastasia Revi’s direction grips the attention from beginning to end through the ingenious use of props, movement, sound and character detail.

Kimberley Jarvis as Mary captivates the stage, often in tightly choreographed scenes which recreate the action and texture of the book and there is an effective interplay with her thoughts skilfully woven into the soundscape. The bullying figure of Uncle Joss, played by Toby Wynn-Davies, swings frighteningly from aggression to ominous charm, and Peter Rae portrays an intriguing Frances Davey, the local vicar.

On a technical level, the performance uses imaginative lighting (Ben Jacobs) and slick, original stage management. The sound design is a tour de force and the music, composed by Jonathan Bratoëff, enriches the work with both instrumental passages and songs, though occasionally this detracts from the harshness of the content. It is quite an achievement that only once does the space hinder the dramatic impact of the play, at the story’s denouement following a powerful build-up of tension. In addition, the short interaction between Mary and Mrs Bassat could have been a more engaging contrast to the surrounding urgency had Phoebe Hyder’s role been better defined.

Truly enjoyable and befitting the long, dark winter evenings, this production of Jamaica Inn blends fine acting with artistic allure and technical mastery. A faithful adaptation of the book executed with a boldness and flair all its own.

 

Reviewed by Joanna Hetherington

Photography by Panayis Chrysovergis

 

 

JAMAICA INN

is at the Tabard Theatre until 2nd December

 

 

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