Gormenghast
Venue:
Liverpool Playhouse Theatre
Run Date: May 8 – May 12
Author:
Mervyn Peake
Director: David Glass
Production Company: David Glass Ensemble
Cast Includes: Philip Pellew, Adam Sunderland, Eric Maclennan, Elisa de
Gray, James Wooldridge, Sally Mortemore.
2 hours.
 |
Adam Sunderland (Steerpike) and Elisa de Grey (Fuchsia)
David Glass’s production of Gormenghast
is a Gothic gorge-fest that cannot fail to entertain. However, its difficult
to ascertain whose the more exhausted afterwards – the audience
or the actors. There is so much vibrancy, colour and noise, it is very
much an interactive experience that holds itself together around the eternal
themes of excessive love, greed and death superbly and with an ingenuity
that is breathtaking.
A mixture of dance, mime and acting, the cast allow the feel of the
mystic land to shine through and so add to the unease as the wicked
Steerpike (Sunderland) sets in motion his plan to become controller
of Gormenghast in place of reluctant young heir, Titus
Groan (Wooldridge).
Sunderland
is wonderful as he journeys from kitchen boy under the vile Chef Swelter
(Maclennan) to insane control freak. Elisa de Gray, too, as the torn
daughter, Fuchsia, excels as the mad Rapunzle-esque princess.
Yet it is Philip Pellew, as loyal manservant Flay, who steals the show. His timing and delivery are magnificent as he creeps around with footsteps echoing from the first with a disturbing, overstated malevolence.
With its clever use of light and sound, Gormenghast is both an extremely witty and deeply disturbing manifestation of a people consumed by self-worth hell-bent on self-destruction.
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break the rules as I see fit.” - Chris High 2003.