YOU can only take so much Soviet angst, and as usual the Citz can be
guaranteed to remind you what camp theatricality is all about.
Not that Giles Havergal's adaptation does Graham Greene any
disservice. On the contrary this is one of the most faithful, and at the
same time original, novel adaptations I have ever seen. You have to
know, however, that it is hilarious and the most fun seen on the
Citizens' stage since French Knickers.
The story is told in first person narrative and direct speech, written
by Greene, and Havergal, Derwent Watson, Patrick Hannaway, and
Christopher Gee are identically dressed as the protagonist Henry
Pulling, while taking on the other 24 characters with a change of voice
or of posture.
If that technique is an unexpected triumph, it is entirely due to the
performances of the actors. Havergal becomes the bohemian aunt in all
but dress and his quizzical look as Henry, is reflected in Derwent
Watson's appearance of complete bafflement when he takes on the role.
Watson's young female characters are another delight and Hannaway
handles the foreign roles with outrageous accents.
The title, locations, characters, and time are flashed above the stage
in electronic subtitles -- one of the many stagey jokes that punctuate
the production -- and Stewart Laing's set is a convincing and colourful
suburban garden, complete with seed-packet identified dahlias, and a
second-act carnival Paraguay.
The first act satires the English middle-class in a way that Scots
will certainly appreciate, but none of Greene's targets are excluded.
It's the most fun you can have with the same clothes on.
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