RESTORATION. To 25 April 2009.
Salisbury.
RESTORATION
by Rose Tremain adapted by Matthew Francis.
Salisbury Playhouse Tto 25 April 2009.
Mon-Wed 7.30pm Thu-Sat 8pm ~Mat Thu, Sat 2.30pm no performance 10, 13 April.
Audio-described 23 April 2.30pm & 8pm.
BSL Signed 22 April.
Post-show Discussion 21 April.
Runs 2hr 50min One interval.
TICKETS: 01722 320333.
www.salisburyplayhouse.com
Review Mark Courtice 3 April 2009.
Costume Drama.
This isn't a makeover show - the Restoration is Charles II's, Rose Tremain's novel comparing 1990s materialism with a 1660s version.
Robert Merivel's world centres on the Court, his stately home in Norfolk and latterly a lunatic asylum in the Fens. Trained as a doctor he abandons his calling and is only able to redeem himself after the twin scourges of plague and fire purge London itself. Loving showing off and display he is perfectly in tune with his times, even to his adoration of the glamorous but treacherous king, for whose current mistress he provides cover by marrying (but never loving) her.
There's a lot of story in this and a lot going on besides, so it's a long night. That it's not longer is tribute to a speedy production by director Francis and designer Colin Falconer; that it doesn't seem so is down to Francis's adaptation that interests us in more than just the plot.
Tom Burke makes Merivel's neediness complicated - he's not just a fool, he's fun too. Ben Porter invests his worthy alter-ego Pearce with a nicely ascerbic tone, a good man who contrasts as much with the other worthies running the asylum as with the glittering king.
Nicholas Boulton has a great time with Charles. Wickedly self-centred, but annoyingly clever, he appears at all the wrong times for Merivel in a succession of more gorgeous outfits.
Costumes matter in this materialist world, pointing up the contrasts in how people think with how they look, so it's important that Falconer's designs are so well done.
Changes have to be fast, a talented company of eight swapping roles as they people Tremain's sweeping tale. This process isn't always smooth, occasionally things lurch to the next moment, and Richard Sisson's clever score, featuring unearthly counter-tenor, doesn't feel completely integrated.
On the set of planking, picture frames and enriching gaudy hangings fly in and out, energetically but occasionally out of control. Not that different from the show, then.
Robert Merivel: Tom Burke.
King Charles II: Nicholas Boulton.
Sir Joshua Clarence: David Killick.
Will Gates: Benedict Sandiford.
Pearce: Ben Porter.
Rosie Pierpoint: Gwendoline Christie.
Katharine: Sarah Lawrie.
Celia Clemence: Gillian Budd.
Counter Tenor: Andrew Watts.
Musicians: Jessica Mogridge, Astghik Vardanyan, Thomas Gregory.
Director: Matthew Francis.
Designer: Colin Falconer.
Lighting: Tim Lutkin.
Music: Richard Sisson.
2009-04-06 00:07:00