If anyone
is in need of finding a good example of £20m of lottery funding
well spent, then a visit to Milton Keynes Theatre is thoroughly recommended.
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| Simon
Callow and Geraldine Alexander in The Holy Terror |
The
theatre, found in the ‘restaurant’ district, has a piazza
type feel and it makes one display a more continental attitude than
might have been thought possible – if only the weather could
have matched up!
Having
now been open for nearly five years, the
theatre itself is contemporary and spacious but the auditorium provides
a pleasant and intimate atmosphere and puts the audience in a positive
frame of mind to receive a performance before ‘curtain up’.
Combine
the atmosphere with one of our most prolific playwrights and teriific
leading man, and you can begin to guess how it felt to be a member
of the audience for Simon Gray’s production of ‘The Holy
Terror’ starring Simon Callow and directed by Laurence Boswell.
The
play is in its pre-West End run and the cast of seven have already
established themselves in the production having already staged it
at other venues in the South East region.
The
play connects with the audience from the first moment that Simon
Callow appears to address his ‘audience’ of WI members
to whom he is explaining about his rise [and fall] in the world
of publishing during the 1980s.
Through
a series of ‘flashbacks’ we can begin to understand the
character of the man before us.
Mark
Melon (Simon Callow) is the archetypal portrayal of an 1980’s
icon – greedy, ruthless and one who turns his ability to manipulate
others as a virtue.
We
watch, spellbound, as we witness his interactions with colleagues
and family alike.
We
are masterfully led through the malevolent methods of a man in control
who gradually evolves as one with obsessive, compulsive disorder
who eventually disintegrates before our eyes to a shadow of his
former self.
 |
| Simon
Callow and Matt Canavan in The Holy Terror |
The
words are witty, with Robin Soans and Tom Beard both coping admirably,
as do the others, with all that the script and Melon demands of
them and their performances are indeed enjoyable.
However,
as expected, it is Simon Callow that dominates the stage –
this man could make the terms and conditions on the back of the
bus ticket sound fascinating to anyone who would listen.
On
the stage for the whole of the two hours, his capacity for delivering
dialogue travels from mesmerising to downright disbelief.
His
ability to capture a mannerism and hold a nuance in his voice captivates
and enthrals in equal measure. Not to mention the fact that he spends
some considerable time in just his underpants and socks!
‘The
Holy Terror’ is a great play and although some of the scenes
are a little longer than is perhaps necessary, it is only the title
that lacks creativity in this performance.
And
having witnessed such an enjoyable performance, I'm certainly going
to make the short trip up the M1 again!
Read
our interview with Simon Callow >>
Read
our review from Richmond Theatre
Find
out more about The Holy Terror >>
|
Listen
to our interview with Simon Callow
