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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
The Woman In White
Verdict: Emasculated
Whenever one cricises a stage adaptation for its deviations from the original novel, one is told that changes are necessary for the new medium. In this case (writes Peter Benedict), the question is more why anyone has bothered to adapt a terrifying Victorian thriller if they want to present a sentimental love story.
Andrew Lloyd-Webber's music is largely in an appropriately melodramatic style - with the odd exception such as a painfully atonal version of The Holly and the Ivy - but the lyrics are sometimes clumsy and too often predictable.
The real culprit, though is Charlotte Jones's book. What exactly is the 'book' in a sung-through musical? One must assume it's the plotting - and the deviations from the original work.
Ms Jones has emasculated this pioneering work which bridged the gap between the Gothic and the modern crime novel by laying too much emphasis on the romance between two of the leading characters.
Maria Friedman sings magnificently, but her role as Wilkie Collins's indominatable, moustachioed heroine is reduced in the script to a feisty lady with a propensity for doing good.
Michael Crawford is outrageously entertaining as Count Fosco. The trouble is that Fosco should begin by appearing charming and trustworthy but only gradually be revealed as an amoral villain. Here, Fosco is clearly a scoundrel from his first appearance and Crawford is given an hilarious comic number in his final scene.
Yes, it brings the house down. But someone really should give Charlotte Jones a few lessons in dramatic structure.
Song List (Source - www.reallyuseful.com 12 Oct 04). I Hope You Like It Here. Perspective. Trying Not to Notice. I Believe My Heart. Lammastide. A Gift For Living Well. The Holly and the Ivy. All For Laura. If I Could Only Dream This World Away. The Nightmare. Evermore Without You. Lost Souls. If Not For Me For Her. You Can Get Away With Anything. The Seduction.
Cast Credits (Source - www.reallyuseful.com 12 Oct 04). Maria Friedman - Marian Halcombe. Michael Crawford - Count Fosco. Angela Christian - Anne Catherick. Martin Crewes - Walter Hartright. Jill Paice - Laura Fairlie. Oliver Darley - Sir Percival Glyde. Edward Petherbridge - Mr Fairlie. Nicky Adams - Ensemble. Eoin Cannon - Swing. Greg Clarke - Ensemble. Elinor Collett - Ensemble. Christopher Connah - Swing. Adrian Der Gregorian - Ensemble. Susie Fenwick - Ensemble. Helen George - Ensemble. Mark Goldthorp - Ensemble. - John Griffiths - Ensemble. Andrew Keelan - Swing. Paul Kemble - Swing. Joanna Kirkland - Swing. Jo Napthine - Ensemble. Vince Pirillo - The Signalman/Ensemble. Yvette Robinson - Swing. James Spilling - Ensemble. Steve Varnom - Ensemble. Sophie Catherside - Corn Dolly Girl. Leah Verity White - Corn Dolly Girl. Sydney White - Corn Dolly Girl.
Company Credits: (Source - www.reallyuseful.com 12 Oct 04).
Andrew Lloyd Webber - Composer. David Zippel - Lyrics. Charlotte Jones - Book. Trevor Nunn - Director. William Dudley - Production and Video Design. Paul Pyant - Lighting Designer. Wayne McGregor - Movement Direction. Mick Potter - Sound Design. Simon Lee - Musical Supervisor. David Cullen - Co-orchestrator with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Stephen Brooker - Musical Director. Richard Bullimore - Production Manager. David Grindrod - Casting. Sonia Friedman Productions - Producer. The Really Useful Theatre Company - Producer.
END
(c) Peter Benedict 2004
reviewed October 04 / Palace Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
