|
|
|
|
|
Dickens AbridgedMalvern Theatres
**** DICKENS
abridged, compacted, diced, decimated and served up as fast food for the
21st
Century – Adam Long’s swift-moving light entertainment both celebrates
and teases Dickens and his admirers with another show in the tradition
of the Reduced Shakespeare mould. The show takes on the form of tracing Dickens’
life - a kind of biographical outline of his life and works. It opens
with a brief and slightly political or philosophical question about why
we see suffering, inequalities, cruelty and injustices in human society,
an issue which clearly concerned Dickens. However such serious questions
are quickly forgotten in the whirlwind of humour and banter. The show dismisses some
novels like Bleak House
and The Old Curiosity Shop
in the blink of a musical eye – a sixty second summary sung with the
guitar. However it focuses much more fully on
David Copperfield
with its strong autobiographical elements, and on
Christmas Carol
with its huge popularity, and Oliver
Twist is thrown into the mix as well. We glimpse Dickens’ early experience of the
blacking factor following the i Eventually his illnesses, his mental confusion
and a stroke lead to his death in 1870. Dickens was a somewhat flawed
genius whose influence on the development of the novel in Britain was
enormous. Adam Long’s production uses song, especially with
the support of the guitar, as a major feature. All four performers were
both singers and guitarists, and the use of rhyming lyrics and music to
lighten and lace the show with humour was brilliant and effective. A
number of the harmonies were delightful. The show also used
projection to enliven the show: photographic images of London in the 19th
Century, some dates to locate the story in history and words to add just
another dimension to the humour. The success of this show relies much on the
versatility of the four performers. They sing, they dance, they swap
roles in a second to become a Miss Havisham, an Agnes, an executioner or
blacking factory manager! It is all done at breath-taking pace and with
terrific energy and gusto to maintain excellent momentum. Matt Bateman played the character of Dickens in
general. Andrew Gallo. Matthew Hendrickson and Martin Sarreal completed
the ensemble cast and they all performed with great dexterity the varied
roles required of them. Their range of skills was terrific. The players were helped with varied, enjoyable
and humorous choreography by Sally Brooks and a good lighting plot by
Matthew Newbury. The result is superficial but hilarious entertainment
that appealed to an audience of all ages. Even the guillotine can be
entertaining in this show! Dickens Abridged
was only at Malvern for a single night’s performance, but they return to
Bromsgrove and Evesham in a couple of weeks or so. The opportunity
to catch another snapshot of one of Britain’s greatest literary talents
is available to the citizens of Worcestershire shortly. 09-10-15 Tim Crow
Other Midland venues: Royal Spa Centre & Town
Hall Royal Leamington Spa, Wednesday 14th October, Box Office: 01926 334
418 Online:
www.warwickdc.gov.uk The Artrix Bromsgrove,
Friday 23rd October. Box Office: 01527 577 330
www.artrix.co.uk Arts Centre Evesham,
Saturday 24th October Box Office: 01386 446 944
www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk Buxton Opera House
Buxton, Tuesday 10th November Box Office: 0845 127 2190
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Lakeside Arts Centre
Nottingham, Tuesday 17th November Box Office: 0115 846 7777
www.lakesidearts.org.uk Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sunday 22nd November Box Office: 01743 281 281 www.theatresevern.co.uk
|
|
|
|
ncarceration
of his father in the debtors’ prison; then his first and unhappy
marriage to Katherine Hogarth results in a lifelong separation; this is
followed by his love for Ellen Ternan and his commitment to the theatre
at Drury Lane.