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Tamburlaine Must Die
Tron Theatre Company
There’s never a dull moment in Kenny Miller’s latest Glasgay! commission, an adaptation of Louise Welsh’s novella of the same name. Clothing is shed, weapons are thrust and bodily fluids spilled almost continuously, to the point where the script begins to feel incidental.
The story should be a gripping one, and perhaps in Welsh’s book it is. Playwright Christopher Marlowe finds himself brought before the Privy Council after the appearance of blasphemous notices signed by his most famous character, Tamburlaine. As offended by the libel’s lack of literary merit as its writer’s malicious intent, he scours London in search of his betrayer.
"Bodily fluids are
spilled almost
continuously
... the script begins
to feel incidental"
Much of the story has its basis in truth: Marlowe was charged with atheism, blasphemy, subversion and homosexuality shortly before his supposedly accidental death in 1593, and was part of a secret circle of rationalists which included Sir Walter Raleigh.
On the few occasions when the dialogue is given room to breathe, there are hints at the richness of the source material. Particularly memorable is an account of the indignity suffered by plague victims as London struggled with rising death tolls.
The role of Marlowe is split between John Kazek and Johnny Austin, and each brings a certain charm to the volatile wordsmith, despite being forced to compete for attention with a series of increasingly degrading sexual acts taking place elsewhere on stage. It’s testament to Miller’s reputation that another pair of fine actors, Andrew Clarke and Mary Gapinski, appear in various supporting roles.
The audience should be shocked by the establishment’s treatment of Marlowe and his contemporaries – not by what the director has asked of his cast.
A version of this review first appeared in The Herald
Shona Craven
Until November 11 at Tron Theatre, Glasgow. Tel: 0141 552 4267.
www.tron.co.uk
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What the papers said:
The Scotsman:
*** "A strong and intriguing hour of blood-spattered theatre, not for the prudish or the faint-hearted"
Metro:
** "An underwhelming, unsexy, uneven affair that runs to an hour but feels much longer"
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