GENEROUS To 24 August.
London.
GENEROUS
by Michael Healey.
Finborough Theatre above Finborough Brasserie 118 Finborough Road SW10 9ED To 24 August 2009.
Sun-Mon 7.30pm.
Runs 1hr 55min One interval.
TICKETS: 0844 847 1652 (24hr no booking fee).
www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk (reduced full-price tickets online).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 16 August.
Surely this fine play and production will be seen again?
Why is Michael Healey’s play receiving a mere handful of performances at the Finborough? Can’t we be bothered because it’s about Canada? A severe mistake, for it has a lot to say indirectly about British society, from its startling opening backstage in parliament during a knife-edge Vote of Confidence.
Surely there’s no objection to the intervention of blood and death into this back-stabbing, cut-throat world? For it was Canadian PM Brian Mulroney who suggested “Slit her throat” about one of his cabinet, and when these stories start, in 1991, Mulroney was sliding from popularity to electoral disaster.
Healey offers four two-scene stories, each leaping from ‘91 to 2006. With seven scenes, two tales share their outcome. And how are they related to generosity?
It’s a quality that struggles in these headlamps of high-level Canadian life. Healey believes such a successful country ought to be generous. His lithe and lively script builds a picture of generosity leaking or leaping from people who are often abrasive or impulsive.
Director Eleanor Rhode grasps these high-octane minds in a fast, explosive production where the Canadian accents seem fine to my ears and where the acting’s undoubtedly fine throughout. A frequent problem with Fringe shows is that actors are too young for mid-age characters, and that’s true here – especially for the 2006 scenes. But it doesn’t matter, so confident and well-judged are the performances.
After the hectic opening scene much of the play focuses on pairs of characters. Richard Beanland brings precision and spirit to his relationship with the older Maria (a strong and supple Karen Archer), while Scott Christie finds comic and moral dignity in his small-time journalist interviewing a powerful businesswoman. There are things a more mature performer might show in the confident Julia, but there’s no sense of incompleteness when watching Jane Perry.
She brings both command and wit to someone who admits ruthlessness while being perfectly charming, and accepts with a smile her ignorance of why she suddenly wants to do public good. Unforced and confidently relaxed, Perry is exceptional in a high-quality production that zings along from first to last.
Eric Poole/David Paul: Scott Christie.
Tommy Langavoolin/Alex Flemming: Richard Beanland.
Len Bencaster/Richard: Simon Lee Phillips.
Peter Tucker: Simeon Moore.
Marc Brancois/Scotty Nguyen: John Sheerman.
Cathy Freeman/Lily: Meghan Popiel.
Julia: Jane Perry.
Maria: Karen Archer.
Director: Eleanor Rhode.
Designer: Sophie Mosberger.
Lighting: Simeon Miller.
Sound: George Perrin.
Assistant director: Amy Draper.
2009-08-24 13:50:49