Mary Stuart. To 26 March.
Derby
MARY STUART
by Friedrich Schiller translated by Robert David MacDonald adapted by Uzma Hameed
Derby Playhouse To 26 March 2005
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 16, 19,23 March 2.30pm
Audio-described 23 March 7.30pm
BSL Signed 24 March
Post-show discussion 24 March
Runs 2hr 30min One interval
TICKETS: 01332 363275
www.derbyplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jan Pick 10 March
Royal tragedy stalks the stage but never quite convinces.A coolly lit and clinically elegant set formed the backdrop for this Schiller play exploring the passion, jealousy and rivalry of two women who had the misfortune to be Queens in a predominantly male-controlled world.
History casts Mary Queen of Scots as the tragic and romantic victim of a ruthlessly pragmatic Elizabeth I, but the play demonstrates the deep reluctance of Elizabeth to sign a death warrant for her kinswoman and sister Queen and asks whether history would have been changed if Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots had ever met.
Derby's is an intelligent attempt that does not quite succeed. Part of the problem is that, with a text so dense and complex, the interruption of video images forms a distraction from, rather than an enhancement of the drama unfolding before us.
Underlining the relevance of events from the past with those of the modern world is becoming increasingly common in theatre, where sometimes, as here, it might be better to trust the audience to draw the inferences for themselves. Video is used to better effect in the moments showing Elizabeth's internal conflict when the projected image of the women voices the arguments of conscience. The costume mix seems to suggest that the more romantic Mary Stuart, of the old faith and view of royalty, was out of step with a modernising, politically pragmatic Elizabeth I, but the cost is some of the emotional depth of Elizabeth's dilemma.
The long, flowing black velvet dress worn by Mary contrasts oddly with the vaguely 50s look of Elizabeth whose appearance has an uncanny resemblance to a new Labour Blair babe', adding an incongruous touch.
The two women, Hilary Tones as Elizabeth and Chloë Angharad as Mary, give good performances Tones doubling as Jane Kennedy, Mary's faithful maid - and there is a nicely judged performance from Jean-Marc Perret as the impetuous hothead, Mortimer.
However Selva Rasalingham, playing both Leicester and Paulet, is less successful, and while Michael Cronin demonstrates the bluff efficiency of Burleigh he misses some of the cold wiliness of the character implied in his speeches. An interesting evening flawed by a design that possibly works against the efforts of the actors.
Mary Stuart: Chloë Angharad
Burleigh: Michael Cronin
Mortimer/Davison/Count: Jean-Marc Perret
Leicester/Paulet: Selva Rasalingham
Elizabeth I/Jane Kennedy: Hilary Tones
Director: Uzma Hameed
Designer: Sarah Blenkinsop
Lighting: Chris Davey
Sound: Matt McKenzie
Composer: Gary Yershon
Choreographer: Claire Russ
Video Design: Hideaway Productions and Kit Lane
2005-03-13 10:36:22