(Rated 4/5 )
Back at the transformed Old Vic for this thoroughly enjoyable stage adaptation by Emma Rice of Angela’s Carter’s novel about twin sisters Nora and Dora - conceived, and then growing up in a heady world of theatrical drama with song and dance, comedy, hints of tragedy, Shakespeare, a little Burlesque and a pantomime feel at times. We first meet the twins on their 75th birthday, in their caravan, where they receive an invite to their blood father’s 100th birthday party. They in turn invite us to join them in the story of their family dynasty from 1920s on when said father, Melchior Hazard, made his name as a renowned Shakespearean actor. He created them with the help of a maid to the woman who becomes their carer, adopted Grandma Chance. The maid is abandoned by Melchior and the twins disowned by him. Step in his twin brother Peregrine who is sometimes present, sometimes absent, but always makes sure money is sent to support them. The twins are unable to resist their inherited calling earning their living as show-girls and joining their dysfunctional stage family.
Back at the transformed Old Vic for this thoroughly enjoyable stage adaptation by Emma Rice of Angela’s Carter’s novel about twin sisters Nora and Dora - conceived, and then growing up in a heady world of theatrical drama with song and dance, comedy, hints of tragedy, Shakespeare, a little Burlesque and a pantomime feel at times. We first meet the twins on their 75th birthday, in their caravan, where they receive an invite to their blood father’s 100th birthday party. They in turn invite us to join them in the story of their family dynasty from 1920s on when said father, Melchior Hazard, made his name as a renowned Shakespearean actor. He created them with the help of a maid to the woman who becomes their carer, adopted Grandma Chance. The maid is abandoned by Melchior and the twins disowned by him. Step in his twin brother Peregrine who is sometimes present, sometimes absent, but always makes sure money is sent to support them. The twins are unable to resist their inherited calling earning their living as show-girls and joining their dysfunctional stage family.
The tone of this production is very light-hearted yet there
are some very serious undercurrents only hinted at – incestuous abuse of one of
the girls by Uncle Peregrine as well as grief and struggles for anything
resembling healthy relationships. Blood is thinner than water in this herstory,
with family and those who love and really care being biologically unrelated to
you. For me the almost brushing over of the more poignant elements is disappointing
– then again I guess humour so often covers the darkness of real lives for
performers. Commonly the best comedians suffer with depression. My other
disappointment was that the production had an amateur feel at times – more panto
(not in a good way) and line fluffing, than professional performance.
Nora and Dora are variously played by puppets, Mirabelle
Gremaud & Bettrys Jones, Omari Douglas & Melissa James, and Etta
Murfitt & Gareth Snook. As you may be able to detect there’s a lovely mix
of gender swapping in there with some mistaken identity possible also a la
Shakespeare. All Noras and Doras are very good but Omari and Melissa especially
so – the former a superb dancer with a beautiful singing voice. The sisters’
key love interest – ‘the blue-eyed boy’ – is played by very pretty, very female
Patrycja Kujawska.
Sam Archer as young Peregrine is also a stunning performer.
His older self - Mike Shepherd - fine but less of note as, for me, are the two
Melchiors Ankur Bahl & Paul Hunter.
Katy Owen was a very shouty Grandma Chance reminding me of
Catherine Tate’s Nan – funny yes but a little too much somehow.
For me this was very good but not great enough to highly
recommend. Good for an entertaining couple of hours.
Wise Children – Review by TheRestrictedReviewer © 2018
