Of Mice and Men
Perth Theatre
Summaries of Steinbeck's heartbreaking Of Mice and Men never fail to emphasise its Depression-era setting, almost to the point where the economic climate is assumed to be directly responsible for every tragic twist and brutal disappointment.
"Ian Grieve's production
is likely to strike a
chord with those caring
for elderly relatives"
In reality, though, this is a drama about the nature of humanity, and Ian Grieve's Perth Theatre production is perhaps more likely to strike a chord with those caring for elderly relatives than those fearing the effects of recession. Prosperity doesn't seem to have solved the problem of caring for those who live beyond their working years, despite the best laid plans of the Scottish government.
George (Jimmy Chisholm) is tormented by his relationship with the strong but mentally handicapped Lennie (Liam Brennan), who constantly tests his patience while encouraging him to dream of a bright future. Chisholm's understated, stoical performance delivers a real punch to the guts – never less than empathetic, he is a man without choices who will nonetheless be haunted by his actions. Playing against type, Brennan takes longer to ease into his role (his stammer initially veers perilously close to Mel Blanc's Elmer Fudd), but becomes entirely convincing as the child-like soul whose innocent actions lead so casually and unjustly to terrible conclusions.
Gareth Thomas provides excellent support as Candy, whose jolly demeanour masks a fear of uselessness and terminal decline, and Tom McGovern's Curley is similarly convincing as a man who responds with aggression to humiliation and disillusionment.
The production could certainly do without the clumsy back-wall projections during scene changes, but is greatly enhanced by original music from the spectre that is composer/performer Stuart Graham.
A version of this review first appeared in The Herald
Shona Craven
Until February 16 at Perth Theatre. Tel: 0845 612 6324.
www.horsecross.co.uk
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What the papers said:
The Guardian:
**** "To a bittersweet soundtrack of slide guitar, played by Stuart Graham, Jimmy Chisholm and Liam Brennan are a riveting double act."
The Scotsman:
"If the production still slightly lacks pace and projection, the detail of the acting is so powerful that the final tragedy hits home like a hammer-blow"
Sunday Herald:
"One of the most frustrating aspects in director Ian Grieve's workmanlike, but uneven, production is that he appears to conceive of the piece not as an inevitable tragedy, but, rather, as a thriller"
