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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Petrograd
Verdict: Love and creative realities
Edinburgh 05 - Pleasance - 14:25 (1:10)
A drum beats. Two women (Isla Carter and Hannah Timms) watch the Russian Revolution. Ava (Rosalind Porter) rushes from the audience and sits with a spiral-bound notebook. The vision of 1917 Russia is an exhibition of communist posters at the Tate Modern. The scene is retro agit-prop.
Ava’s boyfriend Chris (John McClafferty) has returned from an unsuccessful attempt to establish himself in America. He’s now a temp selling shoes – ‘the occupational equivalent of Christmas in Hull.’ Chris is annoyed that the Americans have erased their memories of the communist threat in a changed world. Ava’s father has bequeathed her his communist memorabilia.
The revolutionary vision continues as a play rehearsal. Chris directs and the others act. Ava isn’t certain she’s got it right and consults Steve (Matthew Field), a historian. His critique of her research is ‘Do you find fiction more comforting?’; and her answer – ‘Don’t most historians?’ Later, as their relationship develops, Ava asks Steve ‘Are you married?’ He replies, ‘Are you lonely?’
Chris wants a more commercial product - and the various rewrites of the script completed on time. The content of the play moves to 1960s Russia, where Alexsey (John McClafferty)'s affections move from Ludmilla (Hannah Timms) - who he loves - to Lika (Isla Carter) who he is to marry.
Ava is pulled in all directions, as her troubled life colours her writing. Will there be a play? Will she have a meaningful relationship with anyone? There is a resolution. But her last line is, ‘I miss my dad.’
The acting in Petrograd cannot be faulted. The technical work is superb. There are seamless transitions between Russia (1917, 1964 and 2004) and modern London and Warwick. The set is simple and effective.
Van Badham’s witty script sparkles from beginning to end. She examines the mind of a writer who has already lost her father and her trust in relationships - and is losing faith in her own creative abilities. These imaginary worlds parallel the writer's love life and the memory of her father.
Petrograd is a remarkable piece of theatre - as the unreality of fictional Russia overlaps with the revolution of 1917 and the development of the USSR.
Cast Credits: (alpha order) Isla Carter - Lika/Lucy/Natasha. Matthew Field - Steve/Gil/Man With The Drum. John McClafferty - Chris/Aleksey. Rosalind Porter - Ava. Hannah Timms -Ludmilla/Sarah/Nadya.
Company Credits: Writer - Van Badham. Director - Jamie Harper. Dramaturg - Peter Matheson. Designer - Caroline Story. Lighting Designer - Ben M Rogers. Sound Designer - Lee Wilson. Technical Operators - David Sullivan & Rachel MacNamara. Managing Producer - Yael Lackmaker. Artistic Producer - Lee Wilson. Consultant Producer - Ben M Rogers. Literary Manager - Van Badham. Company Manager - Jacqueline Roberts. Publicity and Marketing Manager - Erin Thomas. Photography - Dan Gulliver. Publicity Graphics and Design - Van Badham. Executive Producers (Petrograd) - Mike Holt, Adam Mark. Company – Prospekt Theatre.
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2005
reviewed Thursday 11 August 05 / Pleasance
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
