☆★★★★ The Geminus
From the
moment you arrive at the Tristan Bates theatre, there is little doubt Blue
Devil Production's The Geminus is a seafaring drama. At once, you are cleverly
immersed by Chris Postle's excellent sea-inspired soundscape. An original piece
of new writing, Ross Dinwiddy has taken Joseph Conrad's novella 'The Secret
Sharer' and retold it as a dark romance full of sexual tension but with some
profoundly funny and lighthearted moments as part of this nautical tale.
The clipper
Geminus is becalmed in the tropics, and young, inexperienced Captain George
Hotson (John Black) is feeling the intense strain and the isolation of his new
command. On watch and alone on deck, he finds solace in a voyage of
self-discovery. He then encounters, and welcomes aboard, a fugitive called
Leggatt (Gareth Wildig) - a handsome and enigmatic stranger with blood on his
hands.
Dinwiddy
cleverly explores the captain's repressed sexuality - grey silk pyjamas might
have been a clue - and Leggatt's more predatory approach. He has also entwined
throughout the fascinating dynamic of the other seamen, Frizer (Ben Baeza) and
Skeres (Robert Cohen). With no spoilers, we further encounter sea
captain-manqué, Ma Gwen (Christine Kempell).
As an
ensemble, they are entirely coherent, credible and captivating to watch. Black
and Wildig explore their nascent relationship with care and warmth as their
closeted sexuality become evident and ever more explicitly passionate. And as
actors, they are both comfortable with undoubted relaxed chemistry. Ben Baeza
gives an extremely assured and, at times, hilarious performance and is blessed
with some witty lines and asides. Special mention must go to Christine Kempell
as Ma Gwen, who gives a tour de force routine as an overpowering, belligerent
sea captain. 'A pitiless obligation' at a time when women couldn't hold such a
post! Beautifully-written, joyous farce at its best and a delightful double-act
with John Black.
Ross
Dinwiddy has not only written The Geminus but also directs with style,
sensitivity, grace and pace, extracting the many nuances from his work and the
decidedly talented and secure ensemble.
The Geminus by Ross Dinwiddy
12th - 17th August
21:15
£12 Book here https://www.actorscentre.co.uk/theatre/the-geminus/book/£10
Part of the Camden Fringe Season
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