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Theatre 6 presents The Double
Original novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Adapted for the stage and Directed by Kate McGregor
Composer and Musical Director: Maria Haik Escudero.
White Bear Theatre
9 March – 3 April 2010
A review by James Buxton for EXTRA! EXTRA! The Double is an adaptation of the novella by Dostoyevsky, written in 1846 at a time of civil unrest in Russian society. It tells the tale of Golyadkin, a lowly clerk in the civil service whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of his doppelganger, intent on stealing his identity. Whether his double is real or a delusion is never explained in the book, it is left up to readers and in this case, the audience to decide. Despite the fact that the lighting wasn't working for this performance it was still an illuminating show that created a believable depiction of St Petersburg’s bourgeoisie society in the 19th century. The sense of social scale at the balls was inventively directed by Kate McGregor. The actors, in formal evening wear, swanned about, addressing members of the audience and engaging with imaginary socialites, creating a sense of the vacuous nature of their lives, hinging entirely on social etiquette and polite mannerisms but void of any genuine emotion. Golyadkin's outburst and subsequent decline in social standing was played well by Ben Galpin, who captured the frantic anxiety of a man with an inflated self-opinion of himself, plagued by social paranoia. At times however the acting was a little too caricature like, thus reducing the audience's sympathies for a man slowly unravelling at the seams. Nonetheless his neurotic, bumbling, inarticulate acting did manage to capture an essential aspect of the character. Dressed in a wilting red bowtie and a dented top hat, his flustered look contrasted well with the affluent dress of his superiors, especially when his double, played by Freddie Machin arrived on the scene, wearing an identical red bow tie and top hat sporting a feather on it, looking somewhat smarter and, sharper. Machin as Golyadkin's double played the role with great relish, switching between Machiavellian upstart and innocent, loyal friend with ease. The direction, by Kate McGregor was excellent, in particular the scene in which Galpin, at work with a higher level clerk played by Michael Linsey and Machin sat side by side at three tables, going through the motions of their clerical duty to a foot tapping rhythm, thrusting their finished sheets into the air at the same moment, creating an enjoyable spectacle out of monotony. Machin copied Galpin's every movement, down to the turning and tapping of a pencil, aggravating a growing frustration within Galpin. The clock, as the centre piece at the back of the stage was a potent device, providing a constant reminder of time and the pressure upon Golyadkin to clear his name before it is too late. At intervals, the hands of the clock were moved by the actors, reflecting Golyadkin's mind racing even faster as the action spun out of his control. During the clerical scene, the actors moved as if being fast forwarded. Special mention goes to Michael Linsey who captured the movements brilliantly. The stirring sound of cello and violin played on stage have a powerful effect, increasing the urgency and anxiety of the situation building to climax, while Golyadkin is reduced to an incoherent, spluttering wreck. The white door frames that were wheeled about, imaginatively suggested the Kafkaesque confusion of the grand, labyrinthine home of his Excellency, mirroring Golyadkin's own mental confusion and insignificance. Excellent directing by McGregor succeeds in achieving her intent to suggest that Golyadkin's double is real, creating the impression that the whole of Russian society, from his maid to his Excellency has turned against him. The Double is an entertaining, energetic adaptation that captures the spirit of Dostoyevsky's novella, and one that is definitely worth seeing for the questions it raises about how we define identity and madness. For if society deems you mad, what can you do to convince them otherwise?
Box Office: 020 7793 9193 http://www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk 138 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4DJ http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=schedule&venue=whitebeartheat
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