A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS

Malvern Festival Theatre

(English Touring Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company)

Sarah Ridgeway & Ben Deery

London’s Soho, on the verge of the 20^th century’s sexual revolution, may seem an unlikely era for the ETT and RSC to set a Jacobean play. Yet, Thomas Middleton’s saucy comedy, A Mad World My Masters, finds new vibrancy in the late 1950’s, a dichotomous time of sexual frustration and liberation. Phil Porter and Sean Foley, who also directs a large ensemble cast, have edited this new version to include the usual ETT live band and, on this occasion, the divine vocals of Linda John-Pierre.

The title perfectly sums up this production with an exhaustive collection of intertwining tales and outrageous characters causing chaos and mayhem. Never ending double entendre and not-so-subtle innuendo come from all quarters, as the actors titillate the audience with wonderfully energised performances, notably Ben Deery as Mr Littledick and Sarah Ridgeway as the ‘virtuous’ whore, Truly Kidman. Clear diction is vital with this dialogue heavy script and unfortunately this isn’t consistently achieved and although the music provides a welcome break between scenes it does result in each act running at a lengthy 80 minutes each.

The production qualities are exactly what you expect from English Touring Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Alice Power’s quirky, adaptable set, is beautifully enhanced by Johanna Town’s lighting design and superbly dressed with Samantha Pickering’s costume

This isn’t for the easily offended but is an enjoyable and fresh interpretation of an old English classic, offering plenty of laughs through its physical comedy and must be an utter joy for those having to study it. A Mad World My Masters runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday before continuing on tour.

4 stars

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Children's Touring Partnership, Chichester Festival Theatre and Fiery Angel Ltd)

Following the hugely successful film, John Boyne’s extraordinary novel of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas has finally been adapted for stage. From the producers who have previously presented Goodnight Mister Tom and Swallows and Amazons, the format is identical and does not disappoint. It is an emotive tale of an unlikely friendship between two innocent boys. Set during World War II, the story is seen through the eyes of Bruno, the nine-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and devastating consequences.

Robert Innes Hopkins set design is a stunning fusion of powerful imagery in two and three dimensions expressed with artistic projections and simplistic scenery. Coupled with the authentic costume and Malcolm Rippeth’s lighting design this production has the perfect visual impact. Director, Joe Murphy, stages the action well but is challenged by Angus Johnson’s adaptation, which would be better suited to a television adaptation. The multitude of short scenes prevents real engagement with the characters and makes it hard to connect and develop the right level of empathy. The play is clearly aimed at the younger audience but it sometimes comes across as a little patronising when it absolutely doesn’t need to be.

The decision to use children, rather than adults portraying children, is questionable. Jabez Cheeseman, who played Bruno on the opening night, impressed with the immensity of dialogue that he delivered faultlessly and with such gusto, although he could have benefited from clearer diction and more emotional connection at times. Colby Mulgrew’s stage experience, however, shone through with his interpretation of the tragic Shmuel. Ed Brody as the terrifying soldier, Kurt Kotler and Marianne Oldham who, as Bruno’s mother, undergoes a disturbing transformation, give particularly notable performances, as does Eleanor Thorn as Bruno’s sister, Gretel.

Ultimately, this is an incredible story and an inspired way to explore the horrors of war in a truly captivating way. The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas runs until Saturday before continuing on tour and is definitely worth experiencing.

3 stars