Great Expectations

Prime Productions


Great Expectations
A remarkable twenty-two venues throughout Scotland will be treated to this Prime Productions tour, and treated is certainly the right word as the company is presenting a first-rate treatment of the Dickens classic.

"A first-rate
treatment...
scenes are
played out at
a break-neck
speed"

Jo Clifford's adaptation may tell a pared-down version of the story, but Dickens devotees will appreciate the great respect with which the dialogue is treated in Ben Twist's production. Every word counts as the story's mystery is woven together and then gradually unravelled.
Roles and relationships are established in the first act, including Pip's friendship with Joe and his infatuation with Estella, then after the interval our hero moves to London to become a gentleman, leaving both behind. Scenes are played out at a break-neck speed on Monika Nisbet's simple but handsome set, and the seamless arrival of new characters belies many quick costume changes by five of the seven actors.
There's no shortage of humour in the portrayal of such memorable creations as eternal martyr Mrs Joe (Pauline Knowles) and etiquette coach Herbert Pocket (Paul Morrow), but the aspects that really linger in the mind are David Fennessy's atmospheric soundscape and visual clues hinting at the bigger picture. Compulsive hand-washing punctuates the dealings of lawyer Jaggers with his unsavoury clients, while Pip graduates from working with his hands to summoning servants by gently clapping them. Even when their characters are offstage the hands of actors frequently remain busy, providing incidental music, rustling paper and ominously sharpening knives.
Richard Conlon's empathetic Pip is the centre around which the action revolves, and through appearances in almost every scene he perfectly captures both in voice and physicality the transition from principled pauper to conflicted gentleman.

A version of this review first appeared in The Herald

Shona Craven

Until February 9 2008 at Byre Theatre, St Andrews, February 11 2008 at Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate, February 12 2008 at The Ryan Centre, Stranraer, February 13 2008 at Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, February 14 2008 at Tower Mill, Heart of Hawick, February 15-16 2008 at Brunton Theate, Musselburgh, February 18 2008 at Ogstoun Theatre, Gordounstoun School, February 20 2008 at Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, February 21 2008 at Paisley Arts Centre, February 22 2008 at The Birnam Arts Centre, Dunkeld,February 23 2008 at Webster Theatre, Arbroath, February 26 2008 at Macrobert, University of Stirling, February 28 2008 at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye, February 29 2008 at Ardross Community Hall, March 1 2008 at The Macphail Centre, Ullapool, March 3 2008 at An Lanntair, Stornoway, March 5 2008 at Rosehall Village Hall, March 6 2008 at Mill Theatre, Thurso, March 8 2008 at Woodend Barn Arts Centre, Banchory, March 10 2008, Dalrymple Arts Centre, Fraserburgh, March 12-13 2008 at Aberdeen Arts Centre, March 14-15 2008 at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

www.primeproductions.co.uk

Have you seen this production? Share your views!

The List:
*** "Encompassing and annoying in equal measure, the composer's work distracts, captivates and informs"

The Scotsman:
"A gripping new touring production... Clifford's version is backed by a magnificent, haunting soundscape by David Fennessy"

The Times:
**** "A personal, close-up drama, with few histrionics and subtle character building... what really gives the production an extra edge is the eerie and menacing soundscape."

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