THE MATHS TUTOR. To 22 November.
THE MATHS TUTOR: Clare McIntyre
Birmingham Rep (The Door): Tkts 0121 236 4455
(Joint B'ham Rep Hampstead Theatre Club prod'n)
To 22 November 2003
Runs: 2h.15m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 10 November 2003
Two plays partnered together, but the partnership falters
Clare McIntyre's play centres around two absorbing and complex issues and therein lies both its strength and its flaw. On the face of it, it appears to be about the false accusation of sexual misconduct and its repercussions disturbed 15 year old J.J. levels at his 'home' maths tutor. (Indeed this is the way it was billed.) However it is more, on reflection, about the complexities of a marriage in which the husband is bi-sexual (in reality more gay I suspect): the husband in question is the father of J.J.'s best friend and he's having an affair with the maths tutor.
These are both fascinating subjects well worth investigation. The former alluding to the large number of false accusations levelled at present-day teachers whose lives are totally ruined as a result. The second raises questions like Does a gay husband have the right to fulfil his sexual desires while remaining married? What does this do to the marriage? Does a gay man cheating on his partner carry the same weight of guilt as a straight man cheating on his wife? Do we see a gay father saying 'Isn't my son wonderful?' in the same way we see a straight father saying 'Isn't my daughter wonderful?' And so on.
The trouble in practice is that the false accusation part of the plot is so strong, so dramatic, so dramatically presented that once the ends of it are tied up we long for the play to finish. In working its way to the conclusion of the second thread the play gives the unfortunate impression of taking endless last breaths. Director, Anthony Clark, who shapes the whole well, cannot keep this part going.
The saving grace of this section is Tricia Kelly's Jane, the much put-upon wife. Her performance throughout is beautifully understated and her blossoming into a new sense of self is wonderful to behold. She makes a perfect foil for Sally Dexter's loud and neurotically demonstrative Anna (J.J.'s mother).
Two actors have to play 15 year olds Ben McKay (J.J.) and Nicholas Figgis (Tom), both I would judge to be fine young actors. However, much of their performance (and the writing) has more to do with 10 year olds than the 15/16 years olds I come across. Pity.
Anna: Sally Dexter
Tom: Nicholas Figgis
J.J.: Ben McKay
Paul: Christopher Ravenscroft
Jane: Tricia Kelly
Brian: Martin Wenner
Director: Anthony Clark
Design: Patrick Connellan
Lighting: James Farncombe
Sound: Gregory Clarke
2003-11-12 08:23:47