Malvern Festival Theatre
GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Beckman Unicorn)
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| Paula Wilcox as Miss Havershim |
There are so many wonderful reasons to go and see the latest
reincarnation of Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, Great Expectations at Malvern
Festival Theatre this week, the first being that this is a rare opportunity to
see it prior to it opening in the West End later this year.
You would be forgiven for thinking that the king of gothic
fantasy, Tim Burton, had had a hand in this extravagant production, but it is
actually the brainchild of Graham McLaren, who also directed the proceedings. The
faded grandeur of Robin Peoples’ breathtaking set superbly compliments the
absolutely magnificent costumes created by Annie Gosney and Giovanni Bedin. Add
to this, atmospheric lighting and sound, courtesy of Kai Fischer and Matt
McKenzie, with Simon Slater’s haunting underscoring, and a magical, Dickensian
circus of horrors is presented for your delectation by an excellent cast of
players.
The fifteen actors that tell this tragic tale of heartbreak
and loss literally slip in and out of the set, using every nook and cranny as a
platform from which to expound. McLaren perfectly moves the story from desolate
marshes to London town, without every leaving the crumbling walls of the poor
Miss Havisham’s palatial prison. The dramatic physical and vocal portrayal of
the characters is captivating and particularly well executed by Isabelle Joss
and James Vaughan as the hideously appealing Mrs Joe and Wopsle, who set the
bar extremely high, very early on in proceedings, with their energised
performance, an energy unquestionably matched by Jack Ellis as the lawyer,
Jaggers, and Nathan Guy as the eccentric Herbert Pocket. Paula Wilcox cleverly
underplays Miss Havisham, giving a refreshingly naturalist characterisation, as
does Taylor Jay-Davies as the protagonist, Pip. This is a real ensemble piece
and the entire cast and creative team must be congratulated on this exquisite
production.
