New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
To Kill a Mockingbird
26th - 29th November 2015
Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ comes to the New
Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham this week.
This coming of age story, set in the Deep South State of
Alabama during the Great Depression, covers many themes including, racism,
racial injustice, rape, loss of innocence, courage and compassion to name but a
few.
I was excited to go and see this production after reading
this novel many years ago and it becoming a firm favourite of mine. I was intrigued at how this company were
going to transfer this classic novel with its many themes from book to stage
play, with the main narration being that of the character a young girl, Scout. I
was not to be disappointed! Under Timothy Sheader’s skilful direction this
production (adapted for stage by Christopher Sergel) was enthralling, charming,
poignant and even tear- jerking in places.
When the large cast of 16 entered up through the audience I
knew that this was going to be a unique take on the novel and was excited of
what the next couple of hours had in store for me.
The minimal, raised set with props set to the sides, a large
tree just off centre with a tyre swing attached to it and a corrugated iron
surround was captivating from the start. The drawing of the fictional town in
chalk, by the cast, on the set only further drew the audience in to the action
about to take place.
Each adult character with their own copy of the novel took
their part in the narration of the story. It was a great touch to see all the
different copy types this novel has taken over the years and only goes to
confirm what an effect this novel has had on many readers since its first
publication.
The live music (written and performed by Phil King) was a
great addition which only served to enhance the story telling and the atmosphere.
Allowing the audiences auditory senses to be even further enhanced into the
belief we were in the Deep South.
Bringing in children to take on three of the main characters
within the story one may have thought would be challenging and could either
make or break the performance as a whole. However, we as the audience were not let
down. All three young actors were wonderful in their roles of Scout (Rosie
Boore), Jem (Billy Price) and Dill (Milo Panni). They kept their audience
captivated and the light and shade of their characters really shone through.
The poignancy of Scout asking Jem about their deceased mother was done with
such delicacy that it bought a tear to my eye.
The whole cast are to be commended on their performances,
it’s not easy to be on stage for the whole of a production, remain in
character, not disturbing the action when sat to the side, but they did this effortlessly. Their
characterisation, narration, movement on stage was just splendid. A special
mention to Zackary Momon (Tom Robinson) and Victoria Bewick (Mayella Ewell) who
I thought were captivating throughout their whole performances both in their
narration, their movement and facial expressions and their characterisations in
the courtroom scenes – outstanding!
The technical lighting and sound again added to making you
feel transported to Alabama with the rhythm of the cicadas, the changing in
light and shade to depict time of day really just topped off the whole
production, making the whole story come alive.
With recent events in America concerning the case in
Ferguson USA, one can’t help wonder how far we have come and the parallels that
this story still can draw in today’s society.
A well-deserved standing ovation greeted the cast as they
took their bows and I believe one that was well deserved. Hats off to cast and crew…
Bravo! Thank you for a fantastic night of theatre and for igniting my passion
for this novel once again.
Review by Faye Hatch
Review by Faye Hatch
