THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. To 30 November.
Blackpool
THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL
by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Grand Theatre 28-30 November
Mon-Wed 7.30pm Mat Wed 2.30pm
Runs 2hr 50min One interval
TICKETS: 01253 290190
www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 26 November at York Theatre Royal
A vivid, high-coloured cartoon catching Sheridan’s humour.
18th century London society might seem the antithesis of Northern Broadsides’ world. Not for them, surely, the coffee houses and sophisticated manners of metropolitan society, which couldn’t even accommodate a trademark Broadsides clog-dance?
Yet roistering Charles Surface and friends come close as their boots stamp out drinking-song rhythms. And if Barrie Rutter’s production stamps on some of Sheridan’s subtleties of character and linguistic style, it comes over with vibrant visual and comic energy.
The territory’s staked out in a raunchily upfront opening song which makes clear the sexual connotations of the fan go way back beyond Oscar Wilde’s discreet implications. Broadsides enjoy a style that sees no problem in putting half its bewigged, costumed cast on stage to form a temporary band whenever a song’s about to be called for. And they take every opportunity for music, trumpet and trombone chiming in alongside violin and glockenspiel.
Yet humour always arises from the play. So, Lady Teazle’s fantasticated feather-headdress rising into sight from behind Joseph Surface’s concealing screen at surprise revelations indicates this essentially naïve character is learning about London ways. Sally Carman’s performance is a joy throughout. The affectation, and hostility to her husband that hasn’t quite learned to speak its name, are handled with comic precision, as are the few moments of affection with Rutter’s Sir Peter.
His performance is filled with characteristic Rutterisms – the head swung slowly aside, the surprised-seeming stare, the elongated cadences – but is at its most impressive in surprising moments of quietness and reactive silences that speak out-loud.
Good work among the scandalmongers (Sara Poyzer’s bustling Sneerwell, Sue McCormick’s Candour blithely unaware she is herself just the sort of person she condemns others for being, and Andrew Pollard’s Sir Benjamin Backbite, elongated and apparently flexible as a stick of plasticine as he drapes across a chaise-longue), while Simon Holland Roberts assimilates Charles’ hearty benevolence with his scapegrace lifestyle.
Elsewhere there could be stronger characterisation, but all is generally well and the result a lively, energetic account showing Sheridan’s people could have puffed themselves up north of the Trent just as well as in the Smoke.
Snake/Moses: Andrew Cryer
Lady Sneerwell: Sara Poyzer
Maid: Rowan Jessie Rutter
Joseph Surface: Richard Standing
Maria: Catherine Kinsella
Mrs Candour: Sue McCormick
Crabtree: Andrew Whitehead
Backbite: Andrew Pollard
Sir Peter Teazle: Barrie Rutter
Rowley: David Bowen
Lady Teazle: Sally Carman
Sir Oliver Surface: Mike Burns
Charles Surface: Simon Holland Roberts
Careless: Guy Parry
Director: Barrie Rutter
Designer: Jessica Worrall
Lighting: Antony Wilcock
Composer: Conrad Nelson
2005-11-28 00:25:09