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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Loyalties
Verdict: Closing ranks
London - Finborough Theatre - 25 April to 20 May 06 - 19:30 (21:30)
Loyalties criticizes the closed-mindedness of the British aristocracy in the period following the First World War. When the indolent lives of an upper-class clique are disrupted by an accusation from a social outsider, the intolerance and double standards of the British caste system are forced to stand trial.
Lord Charles Winsor and Lady Adela Winsor entertain for a weekend at their country estate. They exchange gossip about their guests. Ferdinand De Levis creates conflict by reporting that a large sum of money has been stolen from his bedroom. Lord Winsor - not wanting a scandal to throw a shadow over his own reputation - urges De Levis to keep quiet.
De Levis takes this as a slight. He is a Jew, and believes that he is only tolerated socially because he is wealthy - which is supported by the jocular abuse that he receives when absent. However, it is not clear whether the situation he faces is due to racism, or simply self-preservation by the group.
De Levis decides to use what has happened to stand up against the double standards he has encountered for his otherness.
William Ludwig delivers a serpentine performance as Ferdinand De Levis - setting off the the morality of his cause with the ambiguity of a deftly loathsome characterisation, full of snivel and repulsion. Sarah Everard is a crisply prim Adela Winsor. Marcus Webb presents Charles Winsor as a simplistic, masculine man, unable to see past the ties of his milieu to a wider social picture.
Perri Snowdon plays military hero Captain Dancy with gorgeous physicality, and evokes his dilemmas skilfully. Dancy is trying to change from cad and bounder to family man, but his past and present are about to collide. Kate Steavenson-Payne as Mabel Dancy - who has married Dancy below her status - portrays an angelic, fatally naive and devoted woman.
Christian Olliver presents Major Canynge - the single character who comes to perceive the flaws of the group's sheltered existence - as earnest, and strapping. Richard Franklin's performance as lawyer Jacob Twisden is commanding, subtle and polished. Kerry Skinner conveys tart-tongued socialite Margaret Orme as brassy and jaded, with a sharp sense of timing.
Paul Agar gives contrasting performances as creepy butler Robert, and dour legal clerk Edward Graviter. Mike Aherne plays obliging grounds-keeper Treisure; and insistently well-meaning shop-keeper Gilman, who reports receiving one of the stolen banknotes - and the person who presented it. Peter Leafe delivers police Inspector Dede as capable but complacent, ready to accept an easy version of events; and pragmatic blackmailer - for altruistic reasons - Ricardos, who precipitates the drama.
Phil Willmott's direction is slick and sensitive. However, because of the traverse stage and number of people on it, the staging at points seems artificial. Design by Nicky Bunch is simple, functional, and clean. Lighting, by Hansjorg Schmidt, creates drama at peak points of the play. Costumes by Nell Knudsen are thoughtfully designed to be both modern and evocative of the period.
Cast Credits: (cast includes, alpha order): Paul Agar - Robert, Edward Graviter. Mike Aherne - Treisure, Gilman. Sarah Everard - Lady Adela. Richard Franklin - Jacob Twisden. Peter Leafe - Inspector Dede, Ricardos. William Ludwig - Ferdinand De Levis. Christian Olliver - Major Canynge. Kerry Skinner - Margaret Orme. Perri Snowdon - Captain Dancy. Kate Steavenson-Payne - Mabel. Marcus Webb - Charles Winsor. Other characters played by members of the company.
Company Credits: Writer - John Galsworthy (1867-1933). Director - Phil Willmott. Designer - Nicky Bunch. Lighting Designer - Hansjorg Schmidt. Costume Design - Nell Knudsen. Stage Manager - Rebecca Maltby. Assistant Stage Manager - Paula Henry, J Heath Tucker. Production Photography - Marilyn Kingwill. Scenic Painting - Pippa Breslin. Scenic Construction - Nils Schuller. Assistant Designer - Natasha Ward. Costume Design Assistant - Live Murton. Company - The Steam Industry in association with Concordance. History - First performance, Finborough Theatre - 25 April 06; original production: West End, London, 1922, 400+ performances. Finborough Theatre: Artistic Director - Neil McPherson. Resident Company - Concordance (www.concordance.org.uk). Associate Companies - Shapeshifter, Floodtide. Associate Designer - Alex Marker. Pearson Playwright-in-Residence - James Graham. Support - Pearson Playwrights' Scheme, Peggy Ramsay Foundation. Playwrights-in-Residence - David Carter, Laura Wade, Samantha Wright. Literary Manager - Alexandra Wood. Development Producer - Marie Bobin. Press - press@finboroughtheatre.co.uk.
END
(c) Sarah Shavel 2006
reviewed Friday 11 May 06 / Finborough Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
