“Tristan Bernays’ script, with the poetic nature of its words, caused the piece to play out like a song”
From the discreet entrance on Launcelot Street, I felt like I was sneaking into a secret gig. I stumbled through the mist and smoke that enveloped the space, into post war Britain. Surrounded by posters from that bygone era, rubble, even a half destroyed car and with the music of Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts playing in the distance, The Vaults had been transformed into the perfect venue for this rock ‘n’ roll musical, recreating an evocative fifties atmosphere that continued throughout the evening.
The live on stage band, Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts were fantastic. Not only were they accomplished musicians, but each one had a defined and entertaining character that kept me enthralled with their dynamic as a band, as much as with the actual plot. The story line itself was charming and endearing managing to seamlessly weave in slapstick comedy thanks to the outstanding performances of Molly Chesworth as Josie, and George Parker as Teddy. Chesworth’s characterisation and impersonations were phenomenal and told the audience so much about the character with so little.
Tristan Bernays’ script, with the poetic nature of its words, caused the piece to play out like a song. The rhythm, combined with the detailed imagery, gave so much to the audience. The costume (Holly Rose Henshaw) and set (Max Dorey) were simple, yet effective, both meticulously designed with close attention to detail. Christopher Nairne’s lighting was beautiful and set the tone perfectly for each scene.
Eleanor Rhode’s direction is a credit, everything is so well thought out. Teddy is a feel-good, rhythmic, classic musical that had me wanting to jump up and jive the whole time.
“poignantly explores the highs and lows that come with a long-term relationship”
Over the years there have been some iconic love stories that have been shown on stage and screen: Romeo and Juliet, Kathy and Heathcliff, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy, Sandy and Danny, Harry once he met Sally … the list is endless. However, it is very rare that you get to see beyond the happy ever after (or the tragic young death in the case of poor Juliet and her Romeo). Old Fools, at the Southwark Playhouse, poignantly explores the highs and lows that come with a long-term relationship. As the show’s playwright, Tristan Bernays, explains: “sometimes (relationships) they’re amazing; sometimes they’re f*****g hard; but that’s the deal. Can’t have one without the other”. With no set and no stage directions, this is a very stripped back and honest piece of theatre. It’s the actors and nothing else, baring their souls and crushing the audience with their honesty.
Through a series of snapshots, we are introduced to the couple Tom (Mark Arends) and Viv (Frances Grey). From their first meet in Paris, right up until their twilight years where Viv is lovingly caring for Tom now struck down with Alzheimer’s, we weave back and forth between the key moments of their life together.
Bernays’ skilful use of language cleverly draws scenes together by topping and tailing them with the same line of dialogue – just under different contexts. Likewise, movement director Lucie Pankhurst proves originality in the way she can smoothly make a moment turn from the embrace of young lovers, to an elderly wife lowering her incapacitated husband down to sit.
The chemistry between the actors Mark Arends and Frances Grey is truly magnificent. Grey effortlessly shifts between the characters of wife, daughter, doctor, whilst Arends gives a heart-breaking performance as a man who is gradually caught in the dreadful grips of such a debilitating disease. The real triumph is seeing Alzheimer’s exposed on stage in such a brutally true light. With statistically more of us likely to develop some form of dementia, Old Fools is a stark reality check of what could lie ahead in our future. Nevertheless, as much as Bernays’ work elicits many a tear and a sniffle from the audience, it also produces some heart-felt belly laughs at his witty repartee between Tom and Viv.
