REVIEW: Asking Rembrandt, Old Red Lion Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Asking Rembrandt at The Old Red Lion Theattre

There is not much room for manoeuvre upstairs at the Old Red Lion, but the creative team, led by director Jonathan Kemp, have put together a flexible and well dressed set that provides a richly textured backdrop for the play, full of relevant artistic clutter and debris and gorgeous fabrics – self-consciously theatrical in a way that is entirely appropriate for the paintings from this period in Rembrandt’s life. The intimate atmosphere and finely calibrated acting draws you into the relationships and the issues very quickly, and as a result we have a properly tough-minded, and warm-hearted night at the theatre. The play runs until mid-July and is rewarding in every respect. And you may never think of gloves in quite the same way ever again….

Asking Rembrandt at The Old Red Lion Theatre

Asking Rembrandt at the Old Red Lion Theatre

Scealta Mora presents the World Premiere of Asking Rembrandt by acclaimed playwright Steve Gooch. This new play examines the working life of the famous artist, as well as when art and emotion overlaps. Based around the few known facts of Rembrandt’s relationship with patron Jan Six, as well as mistress Hendrickje Stoffels, this new play looks at the perils of the commissioning process through the working life of this most formidable artist. Told with irreverent, award-winning wit, Asking Rembrandt offers an intimate insight into the studio and personal life of one of history’s most innovatory figures. Casting includes Liam McKenna as Rembrandt, John Gorick as Jan Six, Esme Patti-Ford as Henni and Loz Keystone as Titus. Asking Rembrandt will be directed by Jonathan Kemp, whose numerous credits include the Offie-nominated Prostitutes Marry in May at Waterloo East and the national touring production of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, and Dr … Read more