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Then Again
Verdict: Electric funeral drama
Then Again is drama with inherent comedy from a cast of 5. It runs about 50 minutes in 3 acts.
Solicitor Mr Rathbone dances and air-vocals to Prince's I Would Die For You. It's a funeral parlour, with coffin, flowers and chairs - all of which dancing Mr Rathbone lightly polishes.
Robbie disappeared from everyone's lives 7 years ago, and now he's dead. Martha, Richard and Marcus arrive at his funeral by invitation from mysterious Mr Rathbone. They were all once acquaintances, with Robbie in common. Mr Rathbone has an unusual service planned for Robbie, in which each has a role.
So skilled is the play's construction that to reveal more would be to spoil it. Plot and revelation are cleverly interlocked to bring Robbie's life alive; and with it the subtle relationships between each of the characters. It's a sharp piece of new writing from gifted writer and director Ben Ockrent. His fine dialogue and exciting plotting keeps the action going with bounce and electricity.
Anthony Andrews brings joie de vivre and a subtle mix of comedy and pathos to enigmatic Mr Rathbone. Sarah Carter evokes a Martha of initial reserve, before peeling away the layers of her intricate character to reveal the passion beneath.
Vicky Grebezs gives Emily a warm pathos and sincerity. Paul Inman presents Marcus as a troubled soul, seeking to resolve the conflicts in his soul.
Felix Dunning steals the show with his fabulous Richard - an accountant who regards himself as dull but bristles with integrity and self-examination. Felix Dunning's acting is remarkable, subtle, and memorable.
Then Again uses music that's cleverly integrated to the action, including Judy Garland's version of Gershwin's Embraceable You; Elton John's Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting. And the play's comedy highlight (with a slighly sinister undertow), the cast's karaoke version of Cliff Bennett's version of The Beatles' Got To Get You Into My Life.
Audiences may divide over the play's conclusion, some opting for a full stop at the exact moment of revelation of Marcus's share of the will. Others will relish the additional segment. It's the mark of a fine writer to stimulate argument, and Then Again is a thoroughly enjoyable - and thought-provoking - play
Cast Credits (alpha order):
Anthony Andrews - Simon Rathbone. Sarah Carter - Martha Roberts. Felix Dunning - Richard. Vicky Grebezs - Emily. Paul Inman - Marcus.
Company Credits: Writer / Director - Ben Ockrent. Producer - Jesse Romain. Stage Manager - Harriet Swanwick. Web Design - Rob Halon. Flyers & Posters - Luke Tickner. Company - Bess Productions. Thanks to: Luke Tickner, Alex Wilcox, Lee Dalley, Sarah Buckmaster, Claire Conway, Rob Halon, Barclays Funeral Parlour, McDowell for flowers, LUU, Corona, Josh Kernan, John Rose, David Miller, Underbelly staff; friends & family.
END
John Park
reviewed Friday 13 August 04 / Iron Belly, The Underbelly
(c) Fringe Report 2004
reviews@fringereport.com
Note - Due to problems with our server on 16/17 August 04 this review was briefly unavailable. During this period we ran the substitute review below:
Then Again
Verdict: Subtle and funny drama
Then Again is subtle drama with some comedy from a cast of 5 (2F, 3M). It lasts 50 minutes in 3 acts.
Unusual solicitor Simon Rathbone races round a funeral parlour. He's air-singing to Prince, while lightly dusting chairs, coffin and handles. It is, as he later admits, a lot better than contract law.
It's a contract nevertheless. Dead Robert Levy has instructed Mr Rathbone to arrange an unusual ceremony. It involves 3 friends from whose lives he departed 7 years before - and who have never met since.
Martha, Richard and Marcus arrive separately. They all met at school, and their lives have parted. Martha's a married mother of one. Accountant Richard's sorrowfully divorced, but retains a cat that used to shit on the carpet. Marcus still hasn't become a great writer. Each is riddled with self-doubt, and unsure why they're here. Each is a key part of what now evolves.
Mr Rathbone's instructions include.... But to say any more would be to spoil the clever plotting and revelation of this remarkable piece of new writing.
However it's allowable to mention a fabulous highlight - the three friends, and Mr Rathbone himself, singing a spirited karaoke version of The Beatles' Got To Get You Into My Life.
Anthony Andrews gives a strong delivery of nebulous Simon Rathbone. Solicitor? Angel? It's a quirky character, the glue of the play. Anthony Andrews has a lot of fun with him - and it's infectious. Sarah Carter evokes with great subtlety a Martha who is a troubled person not at ease with past or present; and disturbed by the conflict of intellect, loyalty and passion.
Paul Inman presents Marcus with wit and sensitive understanding of a weak, failed and troubled man; but a man with a possible future.
Then Again is written with verve and a lively feeling for people by Ben Ockrent. Audiences may divide into those who'd like the play to end at the moment Marcus's share of the will is revealed; and those who may appreciate the final short segment.
Vicky Grebezs has the difficult task of acting in this end part, her script different in quality from the rest of the play. Apart from this coda, the script runs on taut dramatic tension, blissfully free of cliché, rippling with the comedy of life.
The show's acting highlight is Felix Dunning as inadequate Richard. The man's life is a mess, yet he's full not of self-pity, but self-realisation. There's a strong awareness of his uselessness, and suppressed rage to want improvement. And a readiness to embrace a future - he won't let bitterness choke out optimism.
All this is easy to write in description; it's extremely hard to evoke on stage. Felix Dunning does this - to an astonishing characterisation from writer Ben Ockrent - in a constantly stylish piece of acting that plays in a finely-controlled way with all the emotions. It is a magnificent performance.
Cast Credits (alpha order):
Anthony Andrews - Mr Simon Rathbone. Sarah Carter - Martha. Felix Dunning - Richard. Vicky Grebezs - Emily. Paul Inman - Marcus.
Company Credits: Writer / Director - Ben Ockrent. Producer - Jesse Romain. Stage Manager - Harriet Swanwick. Web Design - Rob Halon. Flyers & Posters - Luke Tickner. Company - Bess Productions. Thanks to: Luke Tickner, Alex Wilcox, Lee Dalley, Sarah Buckmaster, Claire Conway, Rob Halon, Barclays Funeral Parlour, McDowell for flowers, LUU, Corona, Josh Kernan, John Rose, David Miller, Underbelly staff; friends & family.
END
John Park
reviewed Friday 13 August 04 / Iron Belly, The Underbelly
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
www.fringereport.com
