A Brief History of Helen of Troy.
Birmingham
A Brief History of Helen of Troy Or Everything will be Different: Mark Schultz
The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre: ACT and Drum Theatre, Plymouth UK tour
Tkts: 0121 236 4455
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Runs: 1h 40m: no interval: till 22nd October
Starts: 7.45 pm
Review: Jan Pick 18.10.05
Stormy, stormy night!
If you want excellent drama, well-acted, in a tense, emotional, and occasionally shocking play, then go and see Helen of Troy at The Door, at the Birmingham Rep. Whilst dealing with some very difficult issues in exploring how a father and daughter cope and – eventually - come to terms with the death of the central person in their lives, it’s underlying, offbeat, wry sense of humour helps to alleviate the pain, bitterness and anger of loss.
The line between fantasy and reality is crossed and re-crossed by Charlotte in her desperate search for love as she faces all the angst of a 15-year old girl’s uncertainties about her looks, her sexuality and her need to be told she is attractive and wanted.
The title reflects her obsession with the story of Helen of Troy - who was famously said to have the face that launched a thousand ships - and the disappearance of this most beautiful woman who has also left a daughter behind to mourn her; but those expecting some sort of parallel Helen of Troy story for our times will be disappointed. This play is firmly set in the present and addresses some very current concerns.
Sensitively directed by Gordon Anderson, and cleverly designed, with the set resembling a curving carpeted wave which combined the ideas of a comforting enclosed space with the desire to launch into a world of new experiences, in the intimacy of Birmingham Rep’s smallest space the cast reached out to their audience and pulled them into their world. A great evening.
Charlotte: Andrea Riseborough
Franklin: Ryan Sampson
Freddie: Christian Brassington
Gary: Hugh Lee
Harry: John Sharian
Heather: Jaimi Barbakoff
Director: Gordon Anderson
Designer: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Designer: Johanna Town
Music: Julian Swales
Casting Director: Julia Horan
Voice and Dialect Coach: Sandra Butterworth
Company Stage Manager: Marius Rønning
Technical Stage Manager: Gavin Millar
For ATC:
Executive Producer: Emma Dunton
Administrator: Jenni Kershaw
Production Manager: Simon Sturgess
Press Agent: Anne Mayer
Graphic Design: Mark Goddard
For Drum Theatre, Plymouth:
Production Manager: David Miller
Costume Supervisor: Lorna Greenwood
Set, costume and props: TR2 – Theatre Royal, Plymouth Production Centre
With special thanks to Stephen Willems, Literary Manager/Resident Dramaturg MCC Theatre, New York
2005-10-21 09:26:20