ORIGINAL THEATRE COMPANY & YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE
The Private Ear and The Public Eye at Malvern
Theatres this week is a revival of Peter Shaffer's 1960's play, which
originally starred Dame Maggie Smith and Kenneth Williams.
This piece is effectively two one-act plays that
present real time events with seemingly no obvious connection, other than two
of the actors playing characters in both stories. However, Original Theatre
Company identified a connection with a central character in each play whom
experienced his world predominately through sound in the first play and mostly
sight in the second play, therefore collectively creating an incredibly
observant being. These two contrasting characters are magnificently performed
by Steven Blakely, who successfully takes on this epic theatrical challenge
with a level of skill and dexterity rarely seen in the profession.
A high level of professionalism is maintained by the
other cast members, who revel in their parts under the wonderful direction of
Alistair Whatley. It is such a joy to see a production that has been shaped by
a talented visionary, such as Whatley. In The Private Ear, Rupert Hill is
perfect as the playboy Ted, a charmer who's over zealous nature is merely
compensating for his tragically unhappy childhood. Siobhan O'Kelly is superbly
awkward as Doreen, Bob's date and then transforms into a 'hip' young lady,
brimming with confidence and adventure as Belinda in The Public Eye. Here she
is joined by the Jasper Britton, who gives an energised interpretation of the
frustrated and somewhat pompous, Jasper.
The set by Hayley Grindle undergoes a thoroughly
entertaining transformation at the opening of the second act and her costume
designs are superbly reminiscent of the swinging 60s. The creative team is
excellent and the actors triumph in their individual performances, securely handling
a weighty text with confidence and ease. These plays will not be everyone's cup
of tea but Original Theatre Company more than make up for what the stories
lack, with a dazzling brilliance of talent.
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