The Communication Cord: Friel: Haymarket Basingstoke to November 6th 2004
The Communication Cord
by Brian Friel.
Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke, 21st October 2004 to 6th November 2004.
Monday Saturday at 7.45 p.m.
Matinees 28th October, 6th November at 2.00 p.m.
Runs 2 hours 15 minutes: One Interval
Tickets 01256 465566: www.haymarket.org.uk
Review Mark Courtice: 27th October 2004
Lukewarm Irish Farce.
This revival, part of the Irish season at Basingstoke, of a 1983 Brian Friel play now has more interest as it has been announced that director John Adams has been appointed Artistic Director of the theatre. Perhaps he will be giving us clues to what the future holds.
At least he did not pick the play, a pale imitation of a farce written, according to Friel, as an attempt to avoid being categorised. Tim, a junior lecturer in linguistics "without tenure" borrows friend Jack's country cottage so as impress the father of his girlfriend, a senator powerful enough to ensure an academic career, and a chance to marry. He only has an hour as Jack needs to have the cottage back for a seduction plan of his own.
All the theoretical ingredients of farce are here, funny foreigners (don't ask), underwear, a monomaniac hero, and everyone lying about what they really are. The problem is that all this is theoretical rather than felt. Things happen because they should, not out of the remorseless internal logic of chaos that is the joy of real farce.
The problems are not helped by Adams' strangely inconsistent production. The timing is off, the effects sluggish and the lighting ploddingly literal. Janet Bird's set gives us an accurate (the text defines exactly how it must be) picture of an Irish cottage with a post to attach the cow and furniture round the walls. It is odd how featureless this turns out to be.
The performances range from the interesting (it would be fun to see Kevin O'Leary and Michele Moran in something more interesting) to the frankly over-challenged. Eric Richards is vastly experienced, but here seemed somewhat underpowered. Everyone did however wind themselves into a fine frenzy at the climax.
This play makes 1983 seem a very long time ago (when was the last time we even talked of a communication cord - long before 1983 I bet). This production does little to provide compelling reasons for a revival.
Tim Gallagher Kevin O'Leary
Jack McNeilis John Paul Connolly
Nora Dan Eileen Pollock
Claire Harkin Michele Moran
Senator Doctor Donovan Eric Richard
Susan Donovan Alyx Tole
Barney the Banks Alan Blyton
Evette Giroux Emily Mitton
Director John Adams
Designer Janet Bird
Lighting Designer Simon Hutchings
Assistant Director Alister Lownie
2004-11-06 21:05:04