THE RIVALS. To 12 June.
Bristol.
THE RIVALS
by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Bristol Old Vic To 12 June 2004.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2pm.
Runs 2hr 40min One interval.
TICKETS: 0117 987 7877.
Review: Stewart McGill 20 May.
High production values but a disappointing result.
The final Bristol Old Vic production of the season is Rachel Kavanaugh's production of Sheridan's The Rivals. I have to confess that I did not overly enjoy this and am trying to work out why. The values are very high in terms of production and calibre of actors, indeed all the ingredients combined should make for a wonderful evening. The auditorium of Bristol's Theatre Royal is tailor made for this work being built nine years before Sheridan penned his comedy when in his early twenties. I have enjoyed many genre comedies over the years in this auditorium and had high expectations from a top line creative team. Herein is the problem
Often with Rachel Kavanaugh's work I feel that design and visual style dominate at the expense of the emotional heart of the play. With The Rivals I felt this to be the case, Peter McKintosh's visual design is sumptuous, elegant and suggestive of a whole panorama of Regency Bath on the stage, Everything looks and feels beautifully new delightful. Similarly the music, movement; such high values.
What I missed was any real emotional engagement with the characters despite clear and well defined performances Selina Cadell's Mrs Malaprop is perfect and I really did enjoy James Hayes as Sir Lucius O'Trigger, gems indeed.
So, if I cared little for the lovers and their plots I'm thinking that Kavanaugh's overly visual approach to work is the problem for me. Having said that, this is an audience pleasing ravishing conclusion to a year that has brought Bristol Old Vic well into the front line of national theatre structure and every production has brought risk with new ideas in a determination to restore the company as a total theatre venture. My disappointment questions approach and method rather than a diminishing of talent.
Fag/David: Paul Reynolds.
The Coachman/Servant: Chris Bianchi.
Lucy: Carli Norris.
Lydia Languish: Anna Madeley.
Julia Melville: Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh.
Mrs Malaprop: Selina Cadell.
Sir Anthony Absolute: David Burke.
Captain Jack Absolute: Adam Rayner.
Faulkland: Martin Hudson.
Bob Acres: Dylan Charles.
Sir Lucius O'Trigger: James Hayes.
Director: Rachel Kavanaugh.
Designer: Peter McKintosh.
Lighting: Hartley T A Kemp.
Sound: Jason Barnes.
Composer: Terry Davies.
Choreographer: Stuart Hopps.
2004-05-21 11:04:10