JACK LEAR. To 8 November.
Scarborough.
JACK LEAR
by Ben Benison.
Stephen Joseph Theatre (The Round) To 8 November 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
Runs 2hr One interval.
TICKETS: 01723 370541.
www.sjt.uk.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 1 November.
Storms at sea and in an unhappy home.
Nothing becomes Alan Ayckbourn’s artistic directorship like the leaving of it with this final non-Ayckbourn new play of his decades at Scarborough. After all, if you’re Ayckbourn, and have handed-in your notice why shouldn’t you go out with an unexpected repertory twirl?
Ben Benison’s Jack Lear might have fitted down the coast in Hull, where it’s set. Yet Hull Truck has its own leaving ceremonies this autumn, while director Barrie Rutter (also playing Jack) has been bringing his company Northern Broadsides to the Stephen Joseph for years.
This could have been a Broadsides show, with its northern trawl of actors and poetic, hard-speaking verse possessing the force of a North Sea gale, expounding feeling in the way of Broadsides’ oft-visited Greek tragedians and Shakespeare. And when the unkind sisters step out in their heels with their beloved Edmund, there’s something approaching a Broadsides’ trademark clog-dance.
Benison’s title could discourage those who don’t want Shakespearean tragedy, and also, in its first word, those who do. At least it provides a warning the play won’t be this theatre’s usual easy-watch non-Ayckbourn premiere.
For “beloved” isn’t really the word for Edmund, or anyone here. Jane Bee Brown’s bare stage, just chairs and a table brought on when needed, with colour coded tablecloth and clothes for the two daughters (red for Morgana, turquoise for Freda) when fleet-owning fisherman Jack’s passed all he owns to them, and Paul Stear’s stark lighting, express the emotional bleakness of these characters.
Jack did for his daughters what Lady Macbeth wanted done to herself: unsexed them, making their names male – Morgan, Fred, Vic - and bringing them up with pagan Nordic games. Even Victoria, a lone outcast, is grim-faced as the others if truer-hearted in Rachel Jane Allen’s performance.
In walk, talk and manner Wendy Albiston’s Morgana and Becky Hindley’s Freda seem more masculine than Andy Cryer’s suavely dapper Edmund, though he skilfully does for them as they begin enjoying the libidinous lifestyle while Jack goes mad at sea.
Ultimately, the reduced cast deprives Benison’s piece of the variety in Shakespeare. Yet its single tone is undoubtedly forcefully presented.
Jack: Barrie Rutter.
Morgana: Wendy Albiston.
Freda: Becky Hindley.
Victoria: Rachel Jane Allen.
Edmund: Andy Cryer.
Director: Barrie Rutter.
Designer: Jan Bee Brown.
Lighting: Paul Stear.
Music: Mike Waterson.
Fight director: Kate Waters.
2008-11-03 11:44:27