★★★★★ The Invisible Man
Derek Webb’s adaptation of HG Wells’ timeless classic, The
Invisible Man, is a gem. And by all accounts, south London’s premier fringe
venue, The Jack Studio Theatre, once again has a virtually sold-out hit on its
hands over the festive season. But check as there were a few returns as I
arrived last night.
Shamelessly quoting the show synopsis, ‘a mysterious man
arrives at the local inn of a sleepy Sussex village, wrapped in bandages and
wearing a false nose. Beneath the bandages is Griffin, a scientist desperate to
reverse the twisted experiment that has rendered him invisible.
‘This strange visitor soon sets the locals’ tongues wagging,
and when a spate of baffling burglaries occurs, suspicions are aroused. Before
long Griffin is on the run with a trail of villagers and police in pursuit, all
desperate to do the impossible – to catch an invisible man.’ But enough, as
this wonderful story is chock-full of fifteen characters – excluding the
titular Invisible Man - all brilliantly realised by a super-creative and
multi-talented company of three actors undoubtedly putting the force into tour de
force!
Director Kate Bannister has clearly managed with incredible
dexterity the intricacies of such a fulsome cast of characters. She seamlessly
juggles the multiple entrances, exits, costume changes, accents and myriad of
other details. Her indefatigable dynamic trio of Shaun Chambers, Matthew Parker
and Scott Oswald achieve the virtually impossible in Karl Swinyard’s stylish set,
without even breaking a sweat!
Parker’s performance is full of comedy in so many of his shrewdly-observed
characterisations. Rely on it as he channels his best Stanley Baxter/Hilda
Baker in landlady/hotelier Mrs Hall – camp with serious laugh-out-loud fun.
Even funnier was Reverend Bunting gossiping over a peripatetic garden gate? It
clearly amused me but the woman sitting behind me was hysterical with laughter!
Chambers portrayal of various policemen was equally adroit and precise with
some brief glimpses of musical theatre nuance. But his bandaged embodiment – I presume
– of the Invisible Man was dextrous and nimble. Oswald had great physicality as
he convincingly fought and had a credible extended and dialogue with an invisible
Griffin – quite mesmerising!
I mention only a few of the characters but rest assured this
is a master class in extended acting and characterisation. I think it was the
great German architect, Mies van der Rohe, who once said, ‘God is in the detail’. Without doubt,
that is the case with this adaptation of the Invisible Man which is a smart,
tirelessly inventive telling of this enduring tale.
The Invisible Man
by HG Wells
adapted by Derek Webb
by HG Wells
adapted by Derek Webb
Director: Kate Bannister
Set Designer: Karl Swinyard
Lighting Designer: William Ingham
Costume Designer: Martin J Robinson
Sound Designer: Philip Matejtschuk
Assistant Director: Laurel Marks
Set Designer: Karl Swinyard
Lighting Designer: William Ingham
Costume Designer: Martin J Robinson
Sound Designer: Philip Matejtschuk
Assistant Director: Laurel Marks
Wednesday 11 December 2019 – Saturday 4 January 2020
at 7.30pm
Matinee performance: Sunday 29th at 3.30pm
Please note no performances: 15th, 16th, 23rd–27th, 31st Dec & 1st January) Tickets: £16, £13 conc, suitable for 10+.
Matinee performance: Sunday 29th at 3.30pm
Please note no performances: 15th, 16th, 23rd–27th, 31st Dec & 1st January) Tickets: £16, £13 conc, suitable for 10+.
Box office: 0333 666 3366
There is no charge for online bookings
Telephone reservations have a £1.75 booking fee
There is no charge for online bookings
Telephone reservations have a £1.75 booking fee
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