Fringe ReviewLondon Reviews January-June 2009ThyestesGenre:
Venue: Arcola Theatre 27 Arcola St, London, E8 2DJ Boxoffice: 020 7503 1646 boxoffice@arcolatheatre.comLow Down
Darbourne Luff present Caryl Churchill’s contemporary translation of Seneca’s Thyestes. An all male cast stage the ancient myth of Thyestes; the tale of two brothers and their ongoing fight against one another, in an attempt for ultimate power. Focusing on the culmination of Atreus’ revenge, Thyestes explores what is now known as the Thyestean Feast, and the horrors that prevail. Family curses, multimedia design, and the dangers of rivalry, all collate to form a dramatic piece of theatre.
Review
A cautious audience enter the Arcola studio, armed with a handful of recollections of tragic conventions; gruesome murder, painful lamentation, as they prepare themselves for what is marketed as a ‘chilling take’ on this ‘ancient horror story.’ The atmosphere is immediate. Hannah Clark’s detailed design transforms the studio space into an abandoned office warehouse, which combined with the lighting design creates a dark, dank and dangerous environment. The tone is set.
The audience are divided by a traverse stage on which we witness the horrifying tale of two competitive brothers, so consumed by jealousy, power, and the undeniable desire to win that the most tragic and sickening act is committed as history repeats itself.The play opens on a visit from the Ghost of Tantalus (Jamie Ballard, who also plays the lead Thyestes), whose entrance from the underworld is truly inspired. This encounter acts as an epilogue for the play, providing the back story and details of the curse for which Tantalus is responsible for. It is then we meet Tantalus’ grandsons Atreus and Thyestes, and learn of their dangerous feud. An enraged and antagonised Atreus (Nick Fletcher), after the discovery of his wife’s adultery with his brother Thyestes, plots the ultimate avenge.
Polly Findlay’s production serves Churchill’s translation well proving Roman drama, like her elder sister Greek Tragedy, definitely has a place in a modern audience’s repertoire of theatre. The language combined with the production qualities and the inclusion of multimedia ensures this production has a current relevancy. Mark Grimmer’s subtly haunting multimedia design provides a harrowing visual impact to the messenger’s speech revealing the fate of Thyestes’ treasured sons. Grimmer achieves the effect of 3D silhouettes of children's hands grappling to be saved, projected against disused lockers; chilling. This use of video design works so well that one is left disappointed that this idea is not developed further in the production, securing more continuity as a theatrical convention.
The more intimate exchanges demonstrated a higher level of clarity and depth and therefore created more impact. Whereas the moments which tried to make use of the vast space the Arcola provides, often felt a little lost. Whilst the use of pacing gave the piece a change in dynamic, it at times was too much and it became distracting. This was particularly evident in the arrival of the Messenger. The change in lighting state to Chorus and Messenger illuminating one another with the use of hand torches, did give the scene a sense of location but the fast-paced dialogue was often lost. As gestures became wilder, the beams of light lost focus, causing the audience’s attention to waver from the action.
Darbourne Luff certainly have brought Thyestes alive, and with memorable and high quality production values, connected this ancient myth with a twenty first century audience. I must admit I was dubious that the use of video design would clash against as opposed to compliment the ancient conventions, but my reservations were quashed. Bold ideas shone through the production, but sometimes were left with little progression or development, not quite connecting fully with the text. However Findlay’s direction and Ballard’s heart-wrenching lamentation left the audience appropriately disturbed.
Reviewed by Catherine Hooper 5 June 2009 Website :http://www.arcolatheatre.com/ |
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