Drama
Not a review of the worst Kevin Costner film ever, but rather the einekleine theatre company's production of "Dancing Bears", by Nick Thomas. It comes to the OFS following a highly successful run in London in which it garnered a Time Out "Critics Choice". There have been cast changes, but it is a testament to the strength of that cast that the only trace of this was a little prompting, and still a week of rehearsal to deal with that. Katy Darby continues as director, and also takes on the role of Lady Clara Pinkerton, a champagne socialist who refuses to use her title, except when jumping queues. It's a role written for her, and she vividly brings the bitchy socialite to life. But this is primarily the story of Lola, an undercover journalist working on a story on Ben Tanner, a former Foreign Secretary. Posing as a representative of the "Boston Peace Foundation", assessing Ben for an award, she is really after evidence that he committed treason during his time in office.
If the subject matter sounds weighty, don't worry. The play is most definitely a comedy, with a mix of one liners ("Is that snow on your boots, comrade, or are you just pleased to see me?"), deadpan sarcasm and some wonderful comic timing. Adrian Peck is first rate as Ben Tanner, believably portraying a man almost three times his age, and providing some of the productions funniest moments during Ben's ridiculous attempt to seduce Lola. Laurence Bouvard does a good job taking on the role of Lola, and it would difficult to distinguish her from the original members of the company.
Henry Douthwaite turns in a solid performance as Peter, Ben's half brother, and Lola's ex, and the height imbalance between him and Bouvard makes for a number of very funny moments, if perhaps unintentionally so. Hattie Douthwaite and Dave Key-Pugh play Ben's daughter and son-in-law, Lucy and Jeff Porter: - a politician on the way up and his neglected and somewhat neurotic wife. Some of the most savagely observed moments in the play come from the relationship between Jeff and Ben.
It's funny, it's knowing and it works on so many levels. Catch it at the OFS in first week, and watch out for Nick Thomas's re-interpretation of Medea, due in Merton Ante Chapel third week, with Katy Darby, Bill Moulford (here as Kieran the bodyguard) and Lucy Sholl (Susan the caterer).
http://www.einekleine.com/
10th Jan 2002