THE BROWNING VERSION: Rattigan: Derby Playhouse, till 29 June
Derby
THE BROWNING VERSION: Terence Rattigan
Derby Playhouse: Tkts 01332 363275
Runs: 1h 20m, no interval, till 29 June
Eves 7.30, mat Sat 29 June 2.30
Review: Rod Dungate, 18 June 2002
A thoroughly modern play: beautifully acted and directed: gripping stuff.Do not go to this play thinking it's a cosy old-fashioned play of charming historical interest. It may be getting –on (b 1948) and it may be set in a world from which many of us feel alienated (public school) but in Mark Clements's searching production and with Corin Redgrave's hypnotic performance Rattigan's play is taut, disturbing and thoroughly modern. In theatrical terms you'd be hard put to find a better night out.
On the surface it doesn't look too promising. A dry-as-dust public school classics master is leaving on 'ill health' grounds, his wife is having an affair with a younger master, a 16 year old boy buys the master a copy of the Agamemnon (in the Browning version.)
But Rattigan is writing at his very best. Gently he reveals a nest of seething emotions, bitterness, callousness and lost lives. In the final moments, however, the central character (schoolmaster Crocker-Harris) blossoms into life – no hint of sentiment – but our hearts are lifted. It's amazing – it's gripping stuff.
Corin Redgrave's acting is perfectly in tune with Rattigan's writing. He has occasional outbursts but, for the most part, he is low key (so effective in Derby's auditorium.) Yet Redgrave is a master of his art – nuances are clear and telling, comedy and tragedy easily flow from one another: bit by bit he reveals his character, finally enabling us to see a many-layered Andrew Crocker-Harris: he is complex, troubled but ultimately life-affirming. What a joy.
Susannah Harker, Daniel Hart and Mark Dexter as the other central characters Millie Crocker-Harris, John Taplow and Frank Hunter also capture the style. Particularly impressive is Dexter: his emotional journey is tricky – but Dexter pulls it off with aplomb.
Mark Clements, who directs, has master-minded a real gem here. And I love the way Redgrave hovers, just for a second, over The Browning Version in the play's concluding moments. Apt, intelligent and a gesture that speaks a thousand words.
John Taplow: Daniel Hart
Frank Hunter: Mark Dexter
Millie Crocker-Harris: Susannah Harker
Andrew Crocker-Harris: Corin Redgrave
Dr Frobisher: Ian Lindsay
Mrs Gilbert: Amy Phillips
Peter Gilbert: Tom Mullion
Director: Mark Clements
Design: Steven Richardson
Lighting: Chris Ellis
Sound: Nick Greenhill
2002-06-19 11:23:34