THE DEVILS DANCING HOUR: Whitby: Chichester to 30th March

THE DEVIL’S DANCING HOUR
by Nick Whitby.

Chichester Festival Theatre, to 30th March 2002
Runs 2hr 45 minutes. One interval

TICKETS 01243 781312
Review Mark Courtice 20th March

Community players bursting out of Chichester Festival Theatre turn the clock back 360 years.A craft fair and foyer events enliven the normally staid entrances at the Festival Theatre, establishing an historical mood for Chichester’s latest community play. Inside, the set stretches round the sides of the auditorium, announcing that this show is bursting out of even Chichester’s huge stage. 400 people have been involved in the show- about half of them performing.

Writing a community play surely presents special difficulties; the story must accommodate a huge cast, and a wide range of skill, and ages. Clearly you should concern yourself with nothing too controversial in case you point up division in an exercise designed to celebrate togetherness. A long dead argument over the divine right of kings seems a safe choice.

Nick Whitby’s new play is the story of the siege of Chichester in the Civil War, told pretty straight in consciously historical and heightened language. He creates a town with skill by using its people, and although he does not have time to deal with any other relationships beyond the antagonisms of royalist and parliamentarian, he has written some meaty parts (especially Bishop King and William Waller, the besieging general), seized sometimes with skill and always with great enthusiasm by the leading actors. History is told by and about men, so the parts for women here are less exciting. Only a regiment of female musketeers (who I am sure were historically accurate - the whole thing reeks of masses of research) give the women something other to do than be someone’s wife.

The show is directed with great energy by Roger Redfarn who marshals the population almost as additions to the scenery at times - the city sucking in refugees fleeing the advancing army was particularly effective. Everything looks terrific; a lot of time and money has clearly been spent to good effect. The well thought out set (complete with skittering rats) provides space for both intimate scenes and crowds. Detailed, historically accurate, costumes, powerful lighting and sound (lovely realistic cannon shot cracking over the audience’s head) and periodish music all worked well to create a time when Chichester’s community tensions meant civil strife.

Community Cast from Chichester

Written by: Nick Whitby
Director: Roger Redfarn
Designed by: Simon Higlett
Lighting Designed by: Nigel Hollowell Howard
Sound Design and Original Music: Tom Lishman
Associate Director: Andy Brereton

2002-03-23 22:37:25