Marlborough Theatre, 15 to 27 May, 2001

cast: Patrick Bland (Eddy), Matt Kelly (Len), Phillippa Lyons (Sally), Jackie Skarvellis (Marian)

 

Tragic lives and the love of a mother

" Nigel Fairs' latest production brings a classic Greek tragedy into the twentieth century. Using a schizophrenic set, glossy musical numbers and a fabulous cast the plot unfolds puzzle-like as it heads towards an unexpectedly bloody climax. Fairs' talent has enabled him to rework a well-known story in to a bold and refreshing new piece. While the set, lighting and sound are all exceptional and innovative the credit for the evening certainly belongs to the magnificent cast. Kelly, as Len, is convincing and charming. He tackles the opening scenes with confidence adding clarity to a potentially confusing start. Supported by Bland, as Eddy his teenage lover, and Lyons as Sally, his longsuffering wife, who both turn out fabulous performances in their own right, he gives a moving portrayal of one man's experience of the drama of life, love and family relationships. But it is Skarvellis as Eddy's mother, Marian, who steals the show in the second half. Everything from her stage presence to her belting voice pulls the finale together. As Marian exposes the truth the climax of the play is reached, unveiling the real tragedy of the lives of the other characters. This dramatic revelation is extraordinarily chilling. Fairs has captured the ironic fatalism of the Greek myth and brought it up to date with a wonderful twist. The play is funny, tragic and brilliantly entertaining and it left the audience moved to tears. "

Louise Bloom, EVENING ARGUS, May 24, 2001

ED: All my life I've imagined this, Dreaded this, lived in fear

All my life I've run in vain from this moment - Why do I feel so cold now the moment's here?

All my life I've been chased by demons, Chained to them, lived a lie

If there are Gods above in heaven, tell me - Do I deserve to live or do I deserve to die??

To die would be easy, to slit my throat - Dying's not enough - I'll not be some sacrificial goat

The Gods are saying to me: I deserve to suffer more than death:

A living death, a life in death.

I just can't face a world I despise - Can't see the disgust in people's eyes

"He killed his mother, and if that's not bad enough, the bastard screwed his dad!"

No pity, no shame, no-one to blame except me

'Cept me Can't you see? I see! I see! I see!

2000s