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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Love with a jagged edge
Les Liaisons Dangereuses The Nonentities The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster **** It is a scenario that could have been staged as a
Carry On romp, but this is all pretty serious stuff, give or take
a flirtatious dabble with doubles entendres at a point somewhere
in the middle. Stephen Downing's excellent company meets the
challenges head-on, led by Richard Taylor's plausible rogue Valmont in
his brittle and unpredictable relationship with the Marquise Merteuil so
beguilingly crafted by Sue Downing. These are two powerful performances, with Mr
Taylor at one point repetitiously insisting that the situation is beyond
his control, although he is in fact the string-pulling puppet master.
And there is no suggestion that his huge responsibilities are really
beyond his control or even approaching such a crisis. He bestrides the
stage with power and purpose.
Ms Downing faces that power and purpose with quiet dignity and purpose of her own. This is a confident contribution to what could almost be called a two-hander at the heart of the wider action. It would nevertheless be quite unfair to suggest
that everything and everyone else is peripheral, but her partnership
with Richard Taylor is what rivets the attention in the splendid team
that is at work here – and its members are able to spread their wings on
a set designed by Jen Eglinton and Stephen Downing that is stepped and
interesting. On the fringes at various times are Sandy Tudor (Mme
de Volanges), Harriet Poulton (Cecile de Volanges), Pamela Meredith (Mme
Rosamonde), Louise Fulwell (Mme Tourvel) and Patrick Bentley (Azolan).
Mary-Jayne Jones presents a pretty face as a young courtesan. But it is Gyuri Csete, as Chevalier Danceny, who
turns out to make the most telling contribution of all. That is when
things have become really dangereuses. To 25-02-12. John Slim |
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