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The Public Eye
Verdict: Some magic here
Light and perceptive comedy drama about marriage. The Public Eye runs at 1 hr 20 minutes, with 3 actors.
Stuffy accountant Charles Sidley loves his wife but suspects infidelity. Quirky private detective Julian Christoforou investigates. Innocent wife Belinda Sidley's bemused. Will the marriage survive? Julian Christoforou has a trick (and a macaroon) up his sleeve.
The remarkable Tom Jude delivers macaroon-crunching Julian Christoforou with the sharp balance of outrageousness and subtle credibility this complex character demands. It's a joyful performance, with mane of greased floppy hair swept back, remarkably mobile face, and a fine sense of body gesture.
Pretty Elisa Boyd evokes a Belinda Sidley full of innocence, impishness, and shrewd appraisal of the outlandish situation. The play has a serious core, and Elisa Boyd's fine performance gets to this, with an effectiveness that's at different times joyful and heart-rending.
Chris Courtenay's fine performance of stuck-in-mud accountant Charles Sidley contrasts to perfection with the other characters, giving a fine balance to the drama. Charles is a dinosaur: Chris Courtenay catches this, without resorting to caricature, keeping a strong credibility, and hinting at the man's essentially gentle soul.
The Public Eye works at the level of comedy intertwined with fantasy, but it's structured on a profound study of marriage and human positioning - what we are to each other, and in relation to the world. The current production brings out both facets with soufflé-like lightness of touch - some magic here.
Lively direction is by Jane Briers, imaginative lighting design by Ross McGivern; there's a well-designed, simple and evocative set.
Cast Credits: (alpha order) Elisa Boyd - Belinda Sidley. Chris Courtenay - Charles Sidley. Tom Jude - Julian Christoforou.
Company Credits: Writer - Peter Shaffer. Director - Jane Briers. Lighting Design - Ross McGivern. Lighting and Sound - Anna Matthews. Company - After Dinner. Thanks to: Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Nick Tudor (Arts Education, Drama), Jamie Boyd, David Helsten, Almeida Theatre. Venue Credits: Zena Barrie, Michelle Flower - Artistic Directors, Etcetera Theatre.
END
John Park
reviewed Friday 7 May 04 / Etcetera Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2010
