THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR to 8 February
THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR
By Nikolai Gogol
Adapted and directed by Steve Wasson & Connie Soum
Presented by Theatre de L'Ange Fou in association with the London International Mime Festival and the Pleasance Theatre.
Pleasance Theatre to 8 Feb
Tue - Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5.30 pm
2h. One interval.
TICKETS 020 7609 1800
Review Danny Braverman 16 January
Amongst all the physical theatre virtuosity the story gets lost.
The Government Inspector is something of a departure for Theatre de L'Ange Fou, a physical theatre company drawing talent from all over the world. Their previous pieces have been devised from poetic sources and this new foray into narrative dramatic literature is a bold experiment, which despite a stunning series of visual treats has a tendency towards self-indulgence.
In this adaptation the focus of the piece has been shifted to the internal mayhem of the character of the Mayor. A corrupt official, he is duped by a penniless rake who he mistakes for the eponymous government inspector. His eventual public humiliation leads to his descent into madness.
Theatre de L'Ange Fou externalise the Mayor's traumatic inner life through the ensemble of twitchy and scuttling characters creating an expressionistic, disturbing and often humorous comment on his manic journey. The company's precision, invention and pleasure in the absurd should be applauded. Their extraordinary ability to extract additional nuance through the movement and sculptural qualities of furniture is a particular delight.
As performance art, the piece is therefore successful on many fronts and has some stunning effects. However, during the two hours of the performance, I felt a strong desire for more simplicity. There is a dense and intricate soundscape of recorded music and words used for percussive and atmospheric effect. Added to this are video projection and a quirky, chiaroscuro lighting design. The directors have also added additional characters to symbolise more facets of the Mayor's psyche.
In the end, this produces a cacophony of devices and it becomes a struggle to understand the narrative. Theatre de L'Ange Fou come very close to producing a wonderful theatre experience - if only they had put their huge ability more to the service of the story.
Kevin Collins - The Mayor
Andre Guerreiro Lopes - The Mayor's other half
Oscar Valsecchi - Khlestakov
Veronika Genz - Anna
Sophie Kasser - The Daughter
Igor de Quadra - The Postman
Olivier Decriaud - Osip
Georgie Morgan - Bobchinsky
Yong Chui Kim - The Horseman
Djamilia Taulelle, Erica Cuk, Lionel Comellas, Diego Martin Lucio - Shopkeepers, Townspeople
Kentaro Suyama - The Angel
Aude Tournay - The Shadow Counterpoint
Adapted and Directed by - Steven Wasson & Corinne Soum
Matthew Britten - Lighting Designer
Jeremy Wingham - Production Electrician
Video - Shadow Film Ltd
2003-01-22 19:30:37