It’s wonderful seeing a little play, virtually unknown, on the main stage at Stratford. An auspicious debut for Godwin and another good sign about Gregory Doran’s stewardship of the RSC.
As Brian Epstein, Andrew Lancel turns out a stunning portrayal of a complex man who is as strong and charismatic as he is emotionally frail and weak. It’s an incredible performance that commands the stage with his battered arrogance.
Shakespeare’s vision and insight into the psychology of schizophrenic megalomania was never more potent than it is in Richard III. Jamie Lloyd’s production demonstrates that with clarity and feeling.
McCrory achieves that almost impossible feat – she makes you understand, care for and empathise with Medea’s situation. You feel her pain and fear and disgust and rage as surely as you feel your own heart beat faster as the horror unfolds.
This is engaging musical theatre at its most optimistic: marrying talented singers with clever lyrics and tunes to create a wholly new experience. Bravo to all involved. If you like musical theatre – go!
At ninety minutes, it’s worthwhile time in the theatre. But better casting would have resulted in an experience that might have matched Es Devlin’s extraordinary set.
Because there is no coherent overall style, the audience is left uncertain what it is watching and why. It’s a pity, really, because there are so many good actors here – the cast is enormous – and marshalled in the one direction the results might have been very different.
This is a very good time at the theatre – but it does partly depend upon an intimate knowledge of Musicals of recent years and the stars who made them popular – which is no bad thing.
