LOYALTIES. To 20 May,
London
LOYALTIES
by John Galsworthy
Finborough Theatre Finborough Pub Finborough Road SW10 9ED To 20 May 2006
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Sun 3.30pm
Runs 1hr 50min One interval
TICKETS: 0870 4000 838 (24hrs)
www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 30 April
Loyal ties unknotted in a revival of Galsworthy’s problem play.
Should you be loyal to abstract qualities such as truth, justice, honesty or honour? Or to your own kind, people with whom you feel comfortable? History gives an uncomfortable edge to John Galsworthy’s examination of the matter. At a house-party full of ‘people like us’ a guest announces he’s had £1,000 stolen from his bedroom.
But this guest, De Levis, is Jewish. He’s instantly made to feel an outsider by the cold reception his announcement receives. And when he goes beyond social loyalty, alleging another guest purloined the money, the social knives come out, cutting the air in crystal-edged tones and looks.
He is reminded this is not an hotel but a private house, with invited guests. It’s implied he was acting badly locking his bedroom door when he went for his bath (an irrelevant caution as it turns out). English society closes against an outsider and as matters proceed to trial, there’s more solidarity shown towards an English gentleman gone wrong than De Levis ever receives. When the plot throws up a resident foreigner he too is shown little sympathy while Galsworthy judiciously balances his low motives and proper actions.
It’s a useful reminder anti-semitism wasn’t a Nazi prerogative; racism and institutional racism remain social pollutants. Phil Willmott’s production is played between two banks of spectators, a rail either side of the stage giving a court-room feel. Though the action never quite reaches court, it’s apt. Society, in the complacent house-party guests of the first half, is put on trial theatrically.
Willmott’s cast are too young to create the social weight needed for the early acts. Things come more fully into play after the interval, where Richard Franklin’s experienced lawyer shows the maturity of judgement needed. Yet Christian Olliver’s Major manages the investigative process finely throughout, showing the shock of discovering a cad in his own social cadre. And William Ludwig skilfully keeps sympathy at bay with ready resentment and personal coldness even at moments of potential conciliation.
Willmott’s clear, lean production is alive to the play’s well-considered complexity. Whatever the limitations this is a valuable revival.
Charles Winsor: Marcus Webb
Lady Adela: Sarah Everard
Ferdinand De Levis: William Ludwig
Major Canynge: Christian Olliver
Margaret Orme: Kerry Skinner
Captain Dancy: Perri Snowdon
Mabel: Kate Steavenson-Payne
Inspector Dede/Ricardos: Peter Leafe
Treisure/Gilman: Mike Aherne
Robert/Edward Graviter: Paul Agar
Jacob Twisden: Richard Franklin
Director: Phil Willmott
Designer: Nicky Bunch
Lighting: Hansjorg Schmidt
Costume: Nell Knudsen
2006-05-02 12:10:31