Posts with the label Stuart Goodwin
Showing posts with label Stuart Goodwin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stuart Goodwin. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 July 2018
A Monster Calls, Old Vic | Review
A Monster Calls
Old Vic
Reviewed on Tuesday 17th July 2018 by Emma Gradwell
★★★★★
I was familiar with the storyline of Patrick Ness’s A Monster Calls prior to yesterday’s performance at The Old Vic, after watching the 2016 film adaptation. Despite this, I was not prepared for the emotional journey the story would once again take me on – and the copious amounts of tissues that would be required to mop up the resulting mess. Although a book written primarily for children, A Monster Calls contains some very complex themes– and they are all embraced in director, Sally Cookson’s take on this incredible story.
Conor is 13 and his mother has incurable terminal cancer. His nightmares always come at 12.07am: a monster comes walking to deliver three stories – and then finally to hear Conor’s.
The nightmares are visualised as blood-like projections upon a blank white wall, a system being pumped with chemo, accompanied by strobe lighting, loud dissonant noise and physical discomfort. Benji and Will Bower’s ethereal score helps take us on Conor’s journey from denial, through anger and fear, to acceptance.
The set, designed by Michael Vale, is stark, white and uncluttered. A stripped back stage, with virtually only ropes and chairs, is used to inventive effect by the ensemble cast of twelve. The fluidity of the production relies on sharp timings. It seems almost implausible that trees, classrooms, crowns and cars can be created with only these props, but it is done with great effect. The simplicity of the set lends itself to the solitude of Conor, played by Matthew Tennyson. Tennyson manages to capture a very raw, real and believable 13-year old boy. He often doesn’t engage with other characters, in the way a child in denial would not. The performance is unsweetened and plausible.
Selina Cadell delivers as a bitter and awkward Grandma, dealing with her own grief and not entirely sure how to help Conor. In the scene following Conor’s destruction of her living room, she gives us perhaps the most human moments in the production.
Stuart Goodwin plays the Monster, alongside a complex tangle of ropes – and although we are left in no doubt that the monster is a metaphor for the cancer, Goodwin offers us a complete arc to its importance in the story. At the outset the monster scares us with his booming voice as he shouts from high above in his form as a yew tree. As the story continues, he becomes closer to human as he walks on stilts, until eventually he is alongside Conor as he embraces him in a way we never see his distant father do.
This story contains no real heroes or villains. It is a brutal tale that focuses on the harsh realities of mortality, and our helplessness in grief and the emotional complexities of its process. This production tells it very well, especially in the quietest of scenes. A Monster Calls is not to be missed.
A Monster Calls runs at the Old Vic until 25th August
photo credit: Manuel Harlan
Monday, 12 June 2017
La Strada, The Other Palace | Review
La Strada
The Other Palace
The Other Palace
Reviewed on Thursday June 1st 2017 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
La Strada is definitely the musical which I have been most pleasantly surprised by so far this year. I am a fan of going into shows without looking them up first and I went into The Other Palace with no idea what to expect; thinking I was going to see a cabaret, vaudeville like circus show but that was absolutely not the case. Based on Federico Fellini's 1957 Oscar winning performance, La Strada tells the story of the young and naive Gelsomina who is sold by her mother to become the assistant to the touring gypsy, Zampanò: the "Strong Man". Her sister previously went to work for Zampanò and never returned so Gelsomina is struck with fear but fights and stays strong so she can send money back to her mother. This is ultimately the story of a young girl being taken advantage of purely because she doesn't know any better and because her circumstances don't allow her to escape.
The musicians play onstage in this piece and really bring it to life. A particular favourite moment was when everyone started clicking their fingers until the sound became overpowering and turned into raindrops. Each dramatic moment is heightened and an extremely visceral performance is created. This is helped along by Cameron Carver's brilliant movement which is extremely tight but looks natural and free. Flowing beautifully through moments and embodying each element that's being shown.
With credits including the National Theatre's Peter Pan, director Sally Cookson is know for her innovative, unique storytelling and has captured the themes and harshness of this story in a brilliantly imaginative way.
Finding herself trapped in Zampanò's world, wanting to escape but needing to make her mother proud we see the external and internal struggles of Gelsomina who is played so beautifully by Audrey Brisson. Capturing both her innocence and playfulness through the witty dialogue and wide-eyed movements, Gelsomina becomes a character the audience grow to love and become extremely attached to. This is a wonderful contrast to the cruel, harsh portrayal of Zampanò by Stuart Goodwin. Although we see moments of kindness, these are rare and it is the overall menacing anger which fills the stage whenever the strong man is around.
Part way through, they meet, Il Matto (The Fool) played by Bart Soroczynski who acts as a friend and guide for Gelsomina who heartbreakingly confides in him that there isn't any point her being alive because she is good for nothing. Il Matto brings light and warmth to the story, with a carefree attitude and light movement, he is played wonderfully by Soroczynski.
La Strada is a masterclass in storytelling and Cookson has created a faultless production which draws the audience in and takes them along the road which Gelsomina and Zampanò travel along. The piece is fresh and engaging and the constant movement makes it feel alive, it's truly compelling to watch and I would highly urge you to see it.
La Strada runs at The Other Palace until July 8th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Hello!
