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Tower Theatre Productions Sordid Lives
by Del Shores
Directed by Allan Stronach
10 – 14 November 2009
A review by Amrita Chatterjee for EXTRA! EXTRA!
The tower theatre production of Sordid Lives by Del Shores, described as ‘a black comedy about white trash’ on the programme, is indeed a laugh riot through and through. Set in the southern American town of Winters in Texas with the action taking place over two days in the middle of a very hot summer, Sordid Lives revolves around the death of Peggy Ingrams and her funeral service. The play narrates how her two estranged daughters, her sister and the son in a mental institution, try to come together and pay their final respects; dealing with the demons from the past and the skeletons in the family closet. Sordid Lives is one of those plays where much of the hilarity comes not only from the lines but the characters themselves, all of which have been etched out brilliantly by Del Shores. It comes as no surprise that this play won so many awards when it was first produced in 1996. Shores’ portrayal of a stereotypical society whose only pastime is gossip and where the men and women are riddled by such intense homophobia that it can even destroy innocent lives, is hilarious to the point of becoming poignant. Allan Stronach’s direction is superb with just the right amount of pathos that doesn’t exactly try to preach anything, yet in its’ subtle way provides the audience with enough food for thought. Some might also consider the humour to be too mainstream and camp but the genius of the play lies in the fact that it takes all these kitsch elements and turns them into something more meaningful. In terms of acting, the entire cast does a splendid job with great comic timing and a perfect Texan accent. Martin Buttery is riveting as ‘Brother Boy’, so is Meryl Griffiths as Dr. Eve Bolinger and the scene between the two in the therapist’s office is worthy of being nominated as a classic. It’s hard to stop laughing every time Sheila Burbidge enters the stage as Sissy Hickey. Despina Sellar as La Vonda Dupree and Louise Bakker as Noleta Nethercroft make a great pair of partners in crime. Stuart Denman as Odell Owens, Cameron Robertson as Wardell Owens and Ian Chaplain as G.W.Nethercott try and fail spectacularly at being ‘real’ men. Helen McCormack as Latrelle Williamson and Nathanael Forrest as Ty Williamson manage to portray the awkwardness and frustration of being homosexual and trying to ‘come out’, for both the parent and the child, in a sensitive yet funny way. And the musical interludes of Bitsy Mae Harling and Roy played by Helen Dudley and Peta Barker are an entire act in themselves, being both musical and ridiculously funny. The set design by Jo Staples is both innovative and complementary to the style of the performance. It adds a layer of profundity to the overriding humour that sometimes threatens to numb the audience from deriving any deeper meaning. Lighting design by Stephen Ley is only functional and he could have gone a bit further, as there were plenty of opportunities to give the play a certain surreal quality. Janet South does an excellent job with Brother Boy’s costume and make-up, which literally lifts the show from being good to fantastic. The sound design by Peta Barker is fantastic and surely sent the audience home humming some classic country tune, longing to put on their cowboy hats and bring out the guitar to go with the whiskey. And last but not least, special thanks should indeed be given to Alan Boyle for discovering this gem of a play. Thus, although the entire controversy regarding homosexuality and coming out is not that big an issue in England anymore, Sordid Lives perhaps provides a useful insight into the collective American conscience and the political havoc caused by Proposition 8, prompting one to think ‘if only more people in the world would follow the principles of live and let live.’ All in all it can be said that the Tower Theatre is definitely a company to look out for in the future and, it’s a real shame that Sordid Lives was on at the Bridewell Theatre for only five days as a production like this needs to be seen by as many people as possible, if not for its political or social values then for it’s sheer, undiluted fun and humour.
Box office: 0844 871 7646 Tickets: £11(conc £9) 10 - 14 November 2009 Tuesday– Saturday - 7.45pm; Saturday – 3.00pm Bridewell Theatre Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4
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ry Couzens