You couldn’t make it up
Serendipity can sometimes throw up a wonderful symptosis. Surprisingly for this time of year it’s been busy and just when I thought I wouldn’t be able to see The War of the Worlds (New Diorama Theatre) up pops a friend with an offer I could not refuse, theatre and a catch up having not seen each other since June. Based on H.G. Wells’ science fiction novel and that unforgettable radio broadcast by Orson Welles in 1938 (do what you have to in order to hear it – he freaked out a gullible and nervous nation warning them of an invasion by Martians) this bold and inventive production by Rhum & Cay takes the original concept and gives it a fresh gloss of fake news paint, implying that what Welles did to the Americans eighty years ago is happening now on a daily basis. The difference being that as we are now globally connected 24/7 it’s going to take a lot more than a phoney news story to get us to do what the Yanks did back then (and my mother always said “doudi i Amerigani en dellia dou g***ou!”).
The company worked closely with writer Isley Lynn, improvisation sessions must have been fun, to come up with this kinetic and visual piece. It all begins in a sound studio with a strong sense of ‘Big Brother’ watching and listening. But this is most certainly not George Orwell’s 1984, an antique wireless radio giving us an immediate connection between that which has been and that which we now have, an obvious but clever ruse. Welles can be heard then in a flash we are transported to the twenty first century drawn in to a befuddling family affair. The play really takes off in Grovers Mill, a town which has exploited its sudden thrust into the headlines by creating a kind of mini theme park to attract curious tourists and vlagez. After all what fool wouldn’t want a piece of the action at The War of the World’s café and stomp around town chomping on a Martian burger while making silly noises.
The dialogue is witty and there are moments of hilarity as we laugh at the motley crew of characters who appear to be laughing back at us laughing at them. Confused? You won’t be unless you buy into the other major tranche of alternative facts, that apart from the Martians there is also a tribe of lizards living inside humans. People of my age will remember the 1980’s TV series V and students of conspiracy theories may also now be Googling one David Icke. You see the point is those that can, and want to, and don’t have lives, spend an inordinate amount of their free time concocting takes of the unexpected.
The cast of four are a talented bunch and switch roles with great skill ensuring a potentially confused audience never loses the plot. Benjamin Grant creates a soundscape that flicks from the fuzzed up technological sound of today to the impending doom and gloom of an alien invasion. Bethany Wells’ design is also very clever and adaptable. Excellent entertainment for believers and sceptics alike…they’re behind you.
And Magdalena Praxiou is (positively) exhausted…
Paris 1950…La Traviata (Royal Opera House) tells the story of the tragic love between courtesan Violetta and romantic Alfredo Germont. Richard Eyre’s stylish production moved many to tears and I must confess to shedding one or two myself as Violetta lay there dying. Ermonela Jaho (Violetta) gives a performance to die for. Her start is slow and measured but it grows into a towering effort that is as draining to watch as it is to perform. Vocally excellent the overall portrayal in terms of emotional interpretation is astounding. Charles Castronovo (Alfredo) is also a tenor of great quality. Their duets are wonderfully nuanced and heartfelt.
Bob Crowley’s design is beautiful and ornate without being too ostentatious and I loved the more surreal set in act three, heavily symbolic yet effective. These backdrops worked especially well when the performers are directed to try and recreate a work of art by pausing on their spots as at the end of act 2 scene 1. A delightful and very poignant evening. Bravo plus plus…
The War of the Worlds – 020 7383 9034
La Traviata – 020 7304 4000
Barney Efthimiou
