New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - To Kill a Mockingbird - 26.11.14 - 29.11.14

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