Theatre Review
Peepolykus Spyski
Lyric Hammersmith
3 October - 1 November 2008
A review by Alan Taylor for EXTRA! EXTRA!
A well intentioned production of The Importance of Being Earnest goes awry when an MI5 agent interrupts the play. The actors use it as a chance to recount their last three days when John was taken into hospital and received information from a Russian spy. The reconstruction then turns into a mission to spread the information of the Russian’s quest. The intro was brisk, and very quickly we’re expected to be on the ball with Peepolykus’ madness. Their Earnest was charming, but Spyski seemed to start very tenuously with no real ‘belief’ or authenticity factor. As the play goes forward, a lot of the jokes come off as things they obviously thought were funny that don’t necessarily translate, but it’s the absurd nature of the play that gives the audience the boot to chuckle. The pace and level of action is dizzying, but its farcical nature is endearing and director David Farr handles the troupe well. Peepolykus’ success is in the excellent execution of a genre that hasn’t been well revived in British theatre. The actors’ interpretations of... Well, themselves, is excellent with Javier Marzan playing on his obvious cultural identity difference and doubling up well as the Russian spy Stan Islavslavski and Sophie Russell’s Russian accent giving me chills (in a good way). Admittedly the timing is perfect, the writing is frantic, and yet the denouements all seem to neatly fit together sent off with a nursery rhyme version of David Bowie’s Kooks. Spyski, although frustrating in its persistence and turnarounds in the plot, manages to pull it off with ease. The excellent set design by Scott Fleary Limited added the hint of a rushed production that the actors had prepped three days ago, with seemingly home made paintings and props spinning from all sorts of places. All in all, it is fairly simple fare that will be enjoyed for those looking to give their friends a gentle and easy introduction to the theatre. Enjoyable, light and fun, it is an excellent venture to veer the Lyric into the realms of comedy. Spyski is great for a good laugh, and gives the Lyric a break from the darker and more introspective nature of some its more recent productions.
EXTRA!XTRA! www
Copyright © EXTRA! EXTRA All rights reserved
|
|
