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Miseryguts -
Translated and adapted from Moliere's The Misanthrope
Playwright - Liz Lochhead
Director - Tony Cownie
Designer - Geoff Rose
Lighting designer - Jeanine Davies
Company - Royal Lyceum Theatre Company
Venue - Royal Lyceum Theatre Grindlay St off Lothian Rd to right
of Usher Hall.
0131 2384848 www.lyceum.org.uk
for on line booking
Dates -22
March Free Preview
23 March to 19 April Tue to Sat at 7:45pm and also
Matinees at 2:30pm on Weds 3 & 10 April, Sats 30 March, 6 & 13
April
NB Sunday matinee with free creche on the 7 April..£10 (£2
for students)
Post show show discussion with director and cast 27 March
Runtime - 2hrs 30mins including 20 minute interval
Reviewer - Emma Rushton
Priceless masterpiece on Sex, Lies and the Scots
Liz Lochhead's translation and adaptation of Moliere's The Misanthrope
is a masterpiece of storytelling. Delving into the realms of the Scottish
media's society and MSPs, it explores the current social climate in Scotland,
where more Scots prefers to vote in a pop idol contest than a general
election. This play also brings home, the age of spinning ….networking
....or in truth developing a portfolio of white lies. Real life bites,
but … it's still bloody funny.
With its controversial subtexts, and not quite real life parallels Lochhead
rolls all into a rhythmic blend of well timed humour, poetic speech and
serves up a polished piece of entertaining social commentary. It's a hilariously
sharp look containing plenty of underlying digs that need saying. Lochhead
skilfully keeps it from being politically heavy stuff. It's an easy viewing
piece - dealing with friendships, judgment, and the free woman v new woman
(who is she anyway?). This play brings it all home, the age of spinning
….networking ....or in truth developing a portfolio of white lies.
Jimmy Chisholm, who Lochhead always had in mind for Alex Frew (Moliere's
Alceste), is superb as this TV personality and old miseryguts. Frew's
suffering from a bout of head and heart wars, he's known for his frank
honesty. His lover he's badly smitten with - indeed everyone around him
are much more economical with the truth. Other talents include Janette
Foggo as Zoe Arnott, the Feminist, cultural columnist with no dress
sense and a large brooch. Foggo's Zoe and Cora Bissett as
Celia Mann, Alex's scarlet clad lover have a verbal after the interval.
What a scene! I've never enjoyed a good bitching so much. John Kielty,
kilted in grey wool cloth as Oscar Scougall gives us a lovely meeting
with creative Scotland in full, deluging flood of ----. Oscar's poems
really brought tears to my eyes as he assaulted my ears with his words.
The rest of Cownie's cast of talented actors are Greg Powrie as
Phil Innes, Alec's producer, Barrie Hunter and Ronnie Simon
as the MSPs and Helen Lomax as Ellie Bird Celia's step-sister.
Every one of them speak this well versed (pun intended) play with its
complex, zestful lines in truly accomplished manner accompanied by some
very entertaining physical business.
The well cast play and well crafted script and direction have a well designed
set to give the production added comic style, each scene, some walk through
micro-ones, spins into view on a revolve*. Celia's loft space with electric
lights shaded by kitchen utensils, and Alex's flat with the neglected,
dead flowers in the fire place, reflecting the characters' habitats, clearly
and unfussily.
Go and see Miseryguts….it's a future classic and this is a must see
production.
©Emma Rushton 24 March 2002
* a circular part of the stage which can be turned through 360 degrees
NB The text has just been published with her earlier version of
Tartuffe by Nick Hern Books. Available now at the Lyceum and in bookshops
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