Southwark Playhouse, London
****
Feathers in the Snow
is a fantastic title, but it’s a shame they only spend all of five minutes
there, or indeed anywhere else. It’s as if the writer, Philip Ridley, has had
one too many good ideas and then tried to fit them all into one play.
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| Photo: Bronwen Sharp |
In fact there are so many stories that it leaves the
audience somewhat bewildered. However, the play starts off nicely with a strong
comical style, minimal set and beautiful lighting design. The fables roll into
one another, overlapping seamlessly. Then the second half shifts into an entirely
different approach with the same actors playing the same characters for rather
a long time. This culminates to some sadly obvious messages about war and
religion, and an out of place sing-a-long style finale, complete with backing
track (something the Southwark ‘Young Company’ chorus members had been doing
very well without).
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| Photo: Bronwen Sharp |
The large chorus features heavily, with great voices booming
out a cappella songs and there is some very promising acting talent to look out
for. It is evident that the initial concepts for the overall staging have some
frustratingly good potential but it isn’t always very slick. With such a
sizeable cast the choreographed sequences need to be tighter. The leads were superbly
cast and perform with enthusiasm and comic timing. The comedy itself was quite
pantomimic and uses a lot of dame humour to great effect. Addressing the audience directly, they
certainly grab your attention and entertain both adults and children alike. A frequent
problem with ‘family shows’ is that they can come off as patronising or aimed
solely at children, but this production does not shy away from difficult topics
and gets across their ideas eloquently and simply. I would certainly encourage
adults to see this, even if they’re not bringing children. However, some pacing
is needed; they rip through the stories at such speed that the beautiful
poignancy of certain moments, such as a boys’ cousin dying while they are
‘playing at war’, is lost. It becomes fast to the point of being hurried.
There is very much a story-telling feel to it as the
characters recite passages and narrate each other’s movements. An interesting
choice and one that really makes this production stand out. This style carries
us through the play and helps with the consistency. Overall an enjoyable
evening with some fantastic acting and imagery; be prepared to leave slightly
dizzy from the amount of stories and characters.
This production runs until 5 January 2013.
For more information: http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/main-house/feathers-in-the-snow/
@swkplay
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