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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
THE NUNNERY
Verdict: Comic satire of disintegration
London - Hen and Chickens Theatre -
Jan/Feb 03
Hen and Chickens Theatre, 109 St Paul's Road, London,
N1 2NA, tube Highbury and Islington, tel (24 hrs)
020 7704 2001, £10/£8
The Nunnery is a gifted satire on our society, and specifically the drying-out clinic. But it's not The Priory. There's something not quite right going on at The Nunnery, and it's not just the inmates.
Two gifted actors deliver nine characters with breathtaking élan, to a blissful script and the light touch of a fine director. Together they create a powerful drama, which combines humour with a gentle and revelatory unpicking of vulnerable human beings.
We're introduced to The Nunnery courtesy of proprietor Dr Lush, and follow Camilla on her first day. There's an unusual nurse, and her relationship with Dr Lush (whose name may not be coincidental) proves different from first impressions).
We meet inmates Jolene (with apparently boundless though fragile serenity), and Pooja (nursing the secret of dipsomania from her respectable Indian neighbours). We encounter Maureen from Ireland, and distressed, supercharged rock-singer Roxy - they've something in common. We meet drunk MP Clare, a fine and edgy parody (but only just) of Parliamentary life. We meet Miranda.
In two acts, with interval, the story evolves to enmesh the characters. It moves through the increasing dissolution of order to a revelatory climax.
Claire Gordon and Sarah Louise Young present the menagerie of quite separate characters with grace and skill (and some impressively fast changes). The elegantly-designed and clever set enables the two actors to emerge as new characters without missing a beat - in a wholly convincing way.
Claire Gordon creates and differentiates mad alco Doctor Lush;
not-quite-our-class-darling Camilla; a Jolene teetering on the edge of insanity; and an elegant, fragile Pooja; all with the light touch of fine dramatic art.
Sarah Louise Young, (Best Actress - FR Awards 03) is a powerful Nurse; an unexpectedly randy Maureen; a myopic, chaotic and degenerating MP Clare (a particularly fine piece of acting); a magnificent Roxy (belting out 'Jolene' in glorious voice); and a subtly disturbing Miranda; each performance a graceful evocation, each convincing, nuanced, and alive.
Mike Sarne, creator of the fabulous cult movie Myra Breckinridge, directs with an easy panache - cracking along at a fine pace. There's not a spare moment, nor word, it's tight and sharply focused.
Clive Evans creates a remarkable script. There's a fine understanding of the needs, weaknesses, dreams and triumphs and delights concealed within all of us. He has the ability to touch the soul.
Cast credits: (alpha order): Claire Gordon - Doctor Lush,
Camilla, Jolene, Pooja. Sarah Louise Young - Nurse, Maureen,
Clare, Roxy, Miranda. 'Jolene' sung by Sarah Louise Young;
guitar by David Baker and Mike Sarne.
Company credits: Writer/Producer/Designer - Clive Evans.
Director - Mike Sarne. Lighting - Studio 23.
Music - Richard G Mitchell. Flyer - nim design.
Images - Charles Johnson (Protean IT).
Set construction - Andy Beauchant.
Lighting Designer - Sarah Rushton Read (Studio 23).
Technical - lighting and sound - Marianne Blackmore.
Stage Manager - Gayle Pedersen.
Head and Chickens Theatre - James Wren (Artistic Director) and
Nina Davis.
END
John Park
reviewed 13 February 03 / Hen and Chickens Theatre
(c) Fringe Report 2003
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
