THE FALL OF MAN : Holloway and Milton: Edinburgh Fringe to 30 August

Edinburgh Fringe.

THE FALL OF MA
by: Jonathan Holloway and John Milton.

Red Shift Theatre Company at Beside at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33 ) Edinburgh.
Runs 35 min No interval.

TICKETS: 0131 556 6550.
www.redshifttheatreco.co.uk
Review: Mark Courtice 25th August 2009.

Surely, not what Milton meant.
Paradise Lost was not about sex; Milton was thinking about real sin, and Adam and Eve forsook paradise for more than an afternoon shag in a bed sit in Tottenham. So Jonathan Holloway's interpretation, which is more about a middle aged, mid life crisis than the fall of man seems like a real come down.

Successful Peter endangers his perfect family life as he ends up getting afternoon blowjobs from au pair Veronika. He thinks it's love, she thinks it's a way to get a better life, and we know it’s a cliché. The original twist is that both break off to quote from Paradise Lost from time to time.

It doesn't work, not least because Milton has to be traduced to fit, so for example his reference to "man's desire to know" has the accent on desire not knowledge. Holloway’s deliberately harsh, explicit dialogue clashes interestingly with Milton’s flowing lines, however.

Set on a bed, this production is styled as site-sensitive and as it's all about sex both characters take their clothes off. In the tiny confines of Pleasance Beside their dismal passion is right under our noses, which helps with the superheated sex, but this closeness makes the Milton seem a bit much.

It's not the actors' fault as they cope well with the Milton and their contemporary characters. Stephanie Day is excellent as Veronika, creating a real character with depth - attractive and dangerous at once - in a very short play. That she does this without having the chance, unlike her male co-actor, to put some trousers (or a skirt) on is a testament to her skill.

Sarah Llewellyn's plangent music underscores a neat production from director Jonathan Holloway.

Performers Stephanie Day, Graeme Rose.

Writers Jonathan Holloway and John Milton.
Director Jonathan Holloway.
Sound/Music Sarah Llewellyn.
Co-Director Graeme Rose.

2009-08-28 09:55:59