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Review by David Munro
FOR ME, 5/11 finished the Chichester season,
like the Gunpowder Plot it portrays, not with a bang but with
a whimper.
I can understand the desire of the dramatist, Edward Kemp, to
seize the 4th centenary of the plot as an opportunity of using
the 17th Century tale of religious fanaticism as a parable of
our times.
But why, oh, why did he have to dress it up as a sub-Shakespearean
drama so that, at times, one wondered whether one was watching
an extended version of the Beyond The Fringe parody of the genre
and a very confusing one at that.
The confusion is made worse confounded by the anachronisms which
abound, both in the speeches and the setting, Sir Robert Cecil
sitting at the side of the stage plotting at a modern 'secretary’s'
typing desk and desk lamp is but one example of this!
The acting is, as ever, good. Hugh Ross, as Cecil, is perfect
as the career politician coping with plots and his monarch’s
extravagances with urbanity and, at times, humour.
Stephen Noonan plays the principal plotter, Catesby, as a recognisable
character, the zealot with no conscience who considers the end
justifies the means no matter what.
His fanatical adherence to his religious principles has uncanny
resonances to this day and age which is, of course, the raison
d’etre of the play.
Alistair McGowan makes James the First a feckless and extravagant
character which differs considerably from the devious and austere
King which was portrayed in my history book.
Also, his accent and way of life as portrayed leads to the conclusion
that he spent more of his youth in the Gorbals than Holyrood.
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The Jesuit priest Henry Garnet, the
voice of religious reason and tolerance, was movingly played by
Richard O’Callaghan who made the most of his inquisition
scene which could have been lifted from The Prisoner. His justification
of his beliefs and the tenets of his faith in the face of blind
unreason was very powerful.
The plotters plot frenetically rushing about the stage and ending
in a bed of tulips which dominated the stage in the second act
for no good reason that I could gather.
The woman were less well served, merely being around to give
some semblance of home life and normality to the rest of the cast.
Only Annette McLaughlin, as Queen Anne, had any real prominence
and that was only as the other half of the Royal double act. Anna
Francolini was wasted as Lady Percy, as her one good scene with
her husband proved.
Stephen Pimlott’s direction emphasised the wordy elements
of the script and there were a lot of set scenes and speeches
which tended to hold up what action there was.
I am sorry I cannot bid a more cheerful farewell to what has
been, on the whole, a very good season at Chichester.
I now hold my breath awaiting what the new regime promised for
next year will produce – Watch this space!
5/11 by Edward Kemp.
Directed by Steven Pimlott.
Designer – Ashley Martin-Davis.
Lighting – Chris Ellis.
Sound – Matt McKenzie.
Music – Jason Carr.
Movement – Toby Sedgwick.
CAST: Alistair McGowan; Annette McLaughlin; Claire Parrish;
Aleksander Mikic; Hugh Ross; Raad Bawi; Steven Beard; David Langham;
Brendan O’Hea; Kieran Hill; Alexia Healy; Christian Bradley;
Stephen Noonan; Mark Meadows; John Ramm; Kay Curran; Tom Silburn;
Graham Turner; Anna Francolini; Ollie Porter; Grant Anthony; Gary
Milner; Daniel Abelson; Richard O’Callagham; Fiona Dunn.
In Repertory until September 8, 2005
Minerva Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex,
PO19 6AP.
Box Office: 01243 781312
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