EPSOM DOWNS. To 8 June.

Southampton

EPSOM DOWNS
by Howard Brenton

Nuffield Theatre To 8 June 2002
Mon-Thur 7.30 Fri/Sat 8pm Mat 8 June 4pm
Runs 2hr 30min One interval

TICKETS 023 8067 1771
Review Hazel Brown 21 May

England reveals all amid the thrills and spills of Derby Day on Epsom DownsSporting events encapsulate drama and, as this play proves, make excellent entertainment. Taking the Silver Jubilee Derby in 1977 as its subject, Epsom Downs has been revived to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

I went to the Derby several times in the 1970's, including the 200 in 1979, when once again Lester Piggott won. It is a wonderful event heightened, whether or not you are a supporter of the monarchy, by the presence of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. This play certainly evokes the atmosphere of the event in the 70's, one still prevailing in the 21st century.

Howard Brenton captures the thrills, intrigues and excitement of the occasion and the ensemble cast of nine rise to the occasion magnificently. At the Derby a cross-section of the British nation gathers to enjoy one of the great sporting events of the summer, with the rich in the stands, the middle classes in Tattersalls, the corporate entertainers in topless buses and the general public in the middle of the course with the fairground and the gypsies. The cast play over seventy characters - horses, jockeys, trainers, owners, police, punters, bookies, gypsies, tipsters, the wealthy, bunny girls, the poor, barrow boys, god-botherers, drunks and gamblers.

Three interweaving story lines thread through the drama of the race: a homeless family that wagers its entire savings, a sacked jockey and his attempts to seduce a gypsy girl, and two god-botherers who reveal their former addictions. The play builds comically as the motley gather, in limousines, on horseback, on foot, with the seriously wealthy in helicopters, for the race which is brought hilariously to the stage by the entire cast.

Brenton takes a sceptical look at this society and shows dark moments, with the ghost of the suffragette who died under the hooves of the King's horse returning to comment on the event's political significance. This is an excellent revival of an interesting and enjoyable play.

Primrose, Ghost, Dorothy DeLaune, Cynthia Backshaker: Kate Alderton
Sharon, Miss Motrom: Selena Griffiths
Margaret, Minty, Bunny Girl: Sarah Miller
Charles Pearce, Mack, Morry Burrows, Horse, The Course: David Annen
Sandy, Horse, The Aga Khan, Les Backshaker: Matthew Cullum
Kermit Frog Trader, Hugh, Mr Tillotson, Policeman, Jockey: Neville Hutton
Superintendent Blue, Man Down on his Luck, Grandpa, Louis: Andrew McDonald
Bobby, Horse, Jocks, Jubilee Chicken Vendor, The Derby: Dale Superville

Director: Daniel Buckroyd
Designer: Fred Meller
Lighting: David W Kidd

2002-05-28 11:13:23