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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Seduced
Verdict: Mercenary swingers
London - Finborough Theatre - 3-28 October 2006 – 19:30 (approx 2:00)
Can there be sex without emotional involvement? It's a question that sits at the centre of this harsh drama of middle-class snobbery versus sexual desire. Seduced has a young, attractive couple playing a mercenary, calculated game of seduction - using their youth and assumed naivety to manipulate a bored middle-aged couple.
There's a swingers' dinner party. Kelly (MyAnna Buring) and Ryan (Simon Quarterman) are homeless and desperate to pay off debts of £8,000. They prey on a well-off, childless middle-aged couple. Husband Matthew (Robin Sneller) is even a benevolent psychotherapist. Whether they're lucky in their choice of victims or did their research is left unexplored in the play - one of several unfulfilled ideas.
Polly Sullivan's cleverly-designed set evokes the couple's desperation, and the holes in their relationship - a lifetime's collection of things with no meaning. Large pieces of modern art and bowls full of shining apples create an atmosphere of bourgeoise banality. They counterpoint the cock-er-ney energy wafting in from Walworth Road - Kelly and Ryan.
Naomi (Julia Swift) and Matthew are trying to liven up their stale marriage. They're ready to give up everything – money, sense, dignity – to do so. They even - rather unrealistically - invite Kelly and Ryan to stay at their home. The more interesting undercurrent of the older couple's desire to care for and nurture the younger pair is hinted at, but never fully explored. As poncey middle-class Matthew, Robin Sneller, creates a one-dimensional, overly-demonstrative portrayal of a lecherous middle-aged man. His large Shakespearian gestures are out of sync with the rest of the cast and too big for a small venue. The intimacy of the venue also means that an audience member glancing away from the actors eye-balls someone else in the audience opposite. So the couples' copulations make for awkward viewing.
MyAnna Buring is captivating as the young, guileful and selfish Kelly. She effortlessly maintains the audience’s attention with a faultless performance, ensuring that an inherently unpleasant character becomes rather endearing. Simon Quarterman’s rounded characterisation and immaculate comic timing as cocky Ryan provide light relief without dismissing the emotional depth of the piece.
In the second act the pace abruptly slows down with a wealth of irrelevant dialogue - all the actors are strong enough to convey the complicated emotions without laboured explanation from the script. Seduced doesn’t so much end as gradually peter out. No-one gets what they want. The powerful, well-acted first half with its punchy dialogue and awkward Pinter-style pauses is never fully realised. Suggestions of Ryan's past of debts, deprivation and violence, lead to a disappointing ending with Kelly and Ryan simply leaving when asked. This seems odd given their seeming desire to do anything to get ahead.
Much of Seduced is written in broad brushes. Ideas are introduced but left unexplored. Characters are relatively clichéd, predictable and shallow. It is the skill of the actors, along with Michael Kingsbury’s snappy dialogue, that makes this play incredibly watchable, funny and enjoyable.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): MyAnna Buring - Kelly. Simon Quarterman - Ryan. Robin Sneller - Matthew. Julia Swift - Naomi.
Company Credits: Writer/Director – Michael Kingsbury. Set Design – Polly Sullivan. Lighting – Jason Taylor. Sound Design – Mike Keniger. Stage Manager – Candice La Touche. Press Rep – Tara Marricdale. Production Photography – Marilyn Kingwill. Programme and Poster Design – Rebecca Maltby. Presented by – Jobari Productions Ltd.
END
(c) Sadie Smith 2006
reviewed 10 October 2006 / Finborough Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
