The Spy Who Came In From The Cold - Chichester
Aug 29, 2024 9:32:14 GMT
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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Aug 29, 2024 9:32:14 GMT
Saw this last night. The first ever (surprisingly to me!) stage adaptation of a John le Carré novel, written by David Eldridge.
Now I preface this short review with the fact that I have never read le Carré, nor seen film adaptations. So I knew very little going into this.
Which may be a problem. It took me a while (plus some interval background reading!) to figure out what was going on. Lots of characters, many played by multi-roling actors, and a non-linear script, as well as references to 'The Circus' and an assumption that we all know who George Smiley is, makes it very complex to someone unfamiliar with the source material. Plus the fact that some of the plot made no sense to me, but maybe what spies do shouldn't make sense!
They try to help out a bit at the beginning with a sort of prologue which introduced the characters but I didn't find that enough.
However, by the second half of Act 2, I think I'd got there, though some questions still remain! That said, Eldridge's adaptation has some great lines. And it is a very well acted production, superbly led by Rory Keenan. Jeremy Herrin's direction keeps it moving (apart from a slightly overlong and static trial scene in Act 2), helped by a neat design which makes great use of the Minerva stage, and terrific lighting and sound.
I'd be interested to hear what le Carré fans make of it.
Now I preface this short review with the fact that I have never read le Carré, nor seen film adaptations. So I knew very little going into this.
Which may be a problem. It took me a while (plus some interval background reading!) to figure out what was going on. Lots of characters, many played by multi-roling actors, and a non-linear script, as well as references to 'The Circus' and an assumption that we all know who George Smiley is, makes it very complex to someone unfamiliar with the source material. Plus the fact that some of the plot made no sense to me, but maybe what spies do shouldn't make sense!
They try to help out a bit at the beginning with a sort of prologue which introduced the characters but I didn't find that enough.
However, by the second half of Act 2, I think I'd got there, though some questions still remain! That said, Eldridge's adaptation has some great lines. And it is a very well acted production, superbly led by Rory Keenan. Jeremy Herrin's direction keeps it moving (apart from a slightly overlong and static trial scene in Act 2), helped by a neat design which makes great use of the Minerva stage, and terrific lighting and sound.
I'd be interested to hear what le Carré fans make of it.
