ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE. To 9 August.
London.
ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICE
by Richard Bean.
Olivier Theatre in rep to 9 August 2009.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 16, 18, 25, 29 April, 8 Aug 2pm, 9 Aug 2.30pm.
Captioned 15 April 2pm, 1 June.
Runs 2hr 50min One interval.
TICKETS 020 7452 3000.
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Review: Carole Woddis 23 March.
Comedy is a great release valve; it also invites outrage like no other.
We might think immigration is the abiding scourge of our age. But the redeeming feature of Richard Bean’s controversial new play is that it shows dislike of the `incomer’ has been with us since the Roman and Norman invasions.
For that historical perspective we should at least be grateful, even if it’s possible to feel distinctly uncomfortable at the broad brushstroke nature of Bean’s satire. In Nick Hytner’s colourfully ingenious, rumbustious production, the style is definitely Pythonesque, even down to the Mighty Boot so beloved of many Python sketches. Here it swings into view, crushing various unsavoury elements joyously under foot.
Then too, there are the animated line drawings which quickly create doors, dwelling places, and most tellingly, the Protestant church which, as waves of immigrants settle in the East End, becoming synagogue then mosque, symbolises the changing face of British society.
That Bean is dealing in stereotypes is never in doubt. The question arises as to whether this stereotyping of recent immigrants – Bean picks out particularly the Irish, Jewish and Muslim communities, strangely omitting the Windrush generation - exposes these communities to more denigration, or whether the finger is being pointed at us, the indigenous, intolerant, mongrel British. Sitting in a mostly middle class National Theatre audience, the jury is surely out since those opposing the inrush of Huguenots, Turks, and the rest are portrayed as either BNP supporters or working-class yobs – not exactly your typical Olivier Theatre crowd.
That said, Hytner and the remarkable, large and multi-cultural cast work wonders with a script that one suspects in less talented hands would have proved even more offensive (I found it much easier to laugh, for example, at stereotypes from long ago than Jewish and Muslim ones).
Topped and tailed by a spurious play-within-a-play structure – the `refugee’ cast are awaiting their Home Office papers by performing the play before us – and a star-crossed couple who span the centuries, constantly falling in love in various guises – I found it by turns funny, clever but ultimately discomfitting.
Elmar/André/Sweatshop owner/Tchisikov: Philip Arditti.
Officer Kelly/Patrick Houlihan/Rothschild/Ashraful/Barry: Jamie Beamish.
Hufo: Paul Chequer.
Philippa/Anne O’Neill/Camilla: Olivia Colman.
Benny/Naz: Rudi Dharmalingam.
Norfolk Danny/Carlo/Aaron Mushi: Sacha Dhawan.
Ginny/Eeels/Labiba: Hasina Haque.
Morrie/Shah Abdul: Tony Jayawardena.
Yayah/Rennie: Trevor Laird.
Taher/Denham/Lord George Gordon/Katz/StJohn/Milkman: Elliot Levey.
Tatyana/Kathleen/Janice: Siobhan McSweeney.
Dick/Barrow Boy/Thomas Egg-Nog: Neet Mohan.
Iqbal/De Gascoigne/John O’Neill/Chief Rabbi/Attar/Imam: Aaron Neil.
Sausages/Lilly/Anika: Sophie Nomvete.
Turkish Coffee/Major Evans-Gordon/Stretcher-bearer: Daniel Poyser.
Adriana/Sea-Coals/Rayhana: Claire Prempeh.
Laurie/Brick Lane Rabbi: Fred Ridgeway.
Gaskin/Harry Samuels MP/Police Sergeant: Avin Shah.
Sanya/Ida: Sophie Stanton.
Camille/Mary/Black Ruth/Deborah: Michelle Terry.
Bishop of London/Lord Ballast/Harvey Kleinman/National Front Speaker: David Verrey.
Beggar/Anjum: Harvey Virdi.
Director: Nicholas Hytner.
Designer: Mark Thompson.
Lighting: Neil Austin.
Sound: John Leonard.
Music: Grant Olding.
Animation director: Pete Bishop.
Choreographer: Scarlett Mackmin.
Fight director: Terry King.
Company Voice/ Dialect work: Jeannette Nelson & Kate Godfrey.
2009-03-26 02:01:49