I couldn't find a picture showing the cast from the present run at the Old Vic. The illustration here is from the film starring Lawrence Olivier. It is said that the great actor told Robert Lindsay that he would be ideal in the lead role. Mr Lindsay has only just reached the appropriate age to take on this monster of a part, requiring incredible dexterity, skill and determination - Robert Lindsay took on the role with tremendous verve.
This play is set in Britain at the time of Suez and is intended to be a metaphor for the decline of the British Empire - as the leading character (Archie Rice) is a music hall entertainer at the end of the era of variety. Perhaps this was one of the great triumphs of television that it hammered several nails into the coffin of this 'artform'. Like Britain, Archie has lost his way and can't quite find a role in the new world. His wife, played by Pam Ferris, is a total revelation - she changes her mood rapidly and expresses every emotion with superb timing.
The action is set in the lodging house Archie has taken for the season. There lives his father - who is a retired actor - clearly of greater standing than Archie - his wife and one of his sons, who had refused to be conscripted into National Service. The other son is away in the army, and his fate forms the centre of the piece. the play opens with the arrive of their daughter, who is going through some tricky relationship difficulties. Although this is a comedy it darkens as it progresses, and is very thought provoking. Archie himself is extremely repulsive in his behaviour and attitude, but somehow induces sympathy. The remainder of the family also parade less than attractive qualities, but somehow you empathise with them.
The play is rarely revived - and it isn't surprising because it is rare to find such quality of acting from a cast and this play demands such high standards. It is worth reviving more often. My rating: 8/10
1 comment:
What a lovely revue!! As a New Yorker, I cannot tell you how envious I am of the quality of theatre, especially classical theatre, in the UK, as opposed to the schlocky rubbishy American
theatre which depends on big name celebrities to sell tickets to the schlocky sheeple.You Brits have it in your blood.You can tell by just listening to the way British children speak with their
lovely diction, compared to the
garbage American kids sound like.
There are exceptions of course but on the whole the theatre (and Shakespeare)with you Brits is in the genes.
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