Tale of Venetian art and intrigue
Scenes from an execution. Quay Theatre, Sudbury, until Saturday, May 12.
Howard Barker's drama group is named The Wrestling School and the name is apt for he expects the audience to grapple with his work and extract for themselves a meaning from the raw material of the drama.
Though the moral of this piece may seem elusive, the characters lack nothing and Mike Harding's astute production gives us a rich cast indeed.
The great protagonist is Galactia, an artist commissioned by the government of Venice to paint an epic picture to celebrate the victory over the Ottoman Turks at the battle of Lepanto. Sian Notley, portraying her as a proto-feminist figure, defiant in her assertion of her sexual freedom and unflinching in her depiction of the fight as a murderous slaughter rather than a glorious victory, gives a finely nuanced performance as public figure, mother and mistress.
Mark Jenner most effectively delineates the character of her lover and fellow artist, Carpeta, clearly displaying his frustration at his inability to match her talent.
To the role of Urgentino, the doge of Venice, Stephen Green brings a delightful sense of a consummate politician whose voice, both unctuous and ingratiating, leaves us in no doubt of his capacity for double-dealing.
Hamish Neill gives an inspired vignette as a war veteran hawking his obscene wounds around Venice and Paddy Netscher's prisoner, heard but not seen, is the authentic voice of anguished resignation. Charlie Billson and Melissa Morgan as Galactia's daughters, Carl Duffy's phlegmatic painter Sordo and Michael Fouldes' inquisitorial cleric, Anthea Halstead as critic Rivera and Neil Arbon as the cardinal provide rounded rock-solid support.
Box office 01787 34745.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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