|
The Wrestling School I Saw Myself
Miriam Heard (as Sheeth) Geraldine Alexander (as Sleev)
Photo by Bob Workman.
Written and directed by Howard Barker
Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre
A review by Allan Taylor for EXTRA! EXTRA!
As Sleev, the lady of the manor, prepares to weave a great tapestry of her husband’s death, she finds that she is unable and unwilling to commit his face into the great work. However, she finds renewed passion when she decides to make the tapestry the story of her betrayal and infidelity to her husband. This great and enthused life’s work then becomes an impossible task, and the lady starts to lose her sight while she relives her loves and resolves her shame through weaving the complicated stitching. Barker’s “Theatre of Catastrophe” has not really had much popularity in its homeland, but he should be considered one of Britain’s classic living playwrights (if that’s not an oxymoron). I Saw Myself starts on what one may think is a shaky premise, but in fact represents rich quality of self aware and seamless writing constantly referring to it’s own intricacies and incorporating it’s own continuity. The almost ethereal costume (as designed by Billie Kaiser) makes us believe the event to take place in what can only be described as a ‘Neo-Medieval’ setting, giving it a timeless, futuristic and yet traditional feel. The quality of acting is superb; you can see the glimmer in Jules Melvin’s eye as she plays Ladder, the faithful and yet rebellious serf to her lady and Geraldine Alexander makes Sleev sexy and promiscuous and yet a faded jewel both at the same time. One would hardly believe she was playing a woman of mature years given the passion and sexuality she thrusts into the piece. Eleanor Montgomery and Julia Tarnoky’s consistency (as Keshkemmity and Hawelka respectively) round this piece off to give the driving force of a play about the strength, manipulation and shared bond of women. Truly a treat, it has been well executed on every level. Its gripping and clever dialogue will have you hooked from beginning to end. If you’re thinking that the outline sounds vague or bizarre, don’t worry. This is a top quality piece of theatre that you will not regret going to see. I was at first dubious, but when I noted at the end of the first act that my attention had not faltered, I realised what a great piece of work it was. Oh and, by the way, it features a lot of male nudity in the first act (as if you hadn’t heard!) if you want a little bit of titillation to tempt you. Ensconced within RADA, the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre has a distinguished air and is certain to make you feel that you are hob-nobbing with the talent of tomorrow and the theatre stars of yesteryear, regardless of whether you see some familiar faces or not. Order yourself a gin and tonic, peer around the room and you’ll soon find yourself ‘luvvy-darling’ it up with everyone else.
I Saw Myself is running until the 19th April Price £18, £10 conc. For more info, contact 020 7908 4800 Jerwood Vanburgh Theatre Malet Street, London WC1 6ED Tube: Tottenham Court Road/Goodge Street/Euston
Copyright © EXTRA! EXTRA All rights reserved
|
