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WhatsOnStage Review
"Philip Ridley's play caused a storm (and no shortage of walkouts) during its premiere at the Chocolate Factory in 2005, largely due to the involvement of a child actor in scenes alluding to torture and sexual abuse.
"Watching this revival by theatredelicatessen, staged fittingly in a derelict office block in central London, is therefore rather like watching a repeat of Clockwork Orange - an awareness and expectation of the violence to come inevitably lessens its impact (there were certainly no walkouts this time round).
"The play presents a dystopian vision of society brought to its knees by a plague of butterflies, centring on two brothers - paternal Elliot (Matt Granados) and dimwitted Darren (Chris Urch) - who organise 'parties' to satisfy the violent fantasies of wealthy guests.
"As it becomes apparent that they and their disparate associates are trapped on the verge of armageddon, the sense of hopelessness manifests itself in a kind of nihilistic hedonism. There are resonances here with everything from the Black Death to Abu Ghraib, from Sophocles to Sarah Kane, and the narrative is dense with subtext.
"Frances Loy's production is not wanting for atmosphere. The rundown location, which is accessed via a fire escape, is an apposite choice, even if the makeshift seating grows fairly uncomfortable after an interval-free two hours. The dim lighting adds to the atmosphere but in truth is a little too gloomy considering the action takes place in daylight, making it quite a strain for the eyes as well as the posterior.
"There are several stand-out performances. Matt Granados captures both the intelligence and fatal subservience of Elliot, while Debra Baker has great fun with the Duchess, a blind cockney songstress whose grip on reality has long gone awol. Ben Wigzell makes for a threatening and authoritative 'Papa' Spinx, the alpha male weary of making all the decisions.
"And credit too to young Jack Sweeney, who makes for a compelling 'Party Piece' - the boy whose degradation and torture is on sale to the highest bidder (who turns out to be a city boy with a Vietnam fixation).
"This is not comfortable viewing, in any sense, and its final message, that mankind's only hope is to find a "more friendly planet", is far from hopeful. But there's no shortage of black humour to grease the wheels, and much promise in this young company."
- by Theo Bosanquet, WhatsOnStage.com
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Last night's eventful performance was certainly exciting! Not only were we once again in the midst of one of the most exhausting, thrilling, terrifying, visceral and challenging plays I've ever read; but we were very nearly raided by the police! Of course the police and the neighbours have been informed of the fact that a play is happening, and that the sounds of fighting and a gun shot may well be common over the next few weeks, however a new local resident was shocked enough by what she heard that she actually phoned the police!
Before we knew it, Debs and I, looking like a bedraggled Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's, and a Soho Square regular on the back fire escape, had torches turned on our faces and burly policemen demanding that we open the fire escape door!
"We're doing a play! It's OK, we're doing a performance!" we whispered down to them, in an attempt not to disturb the performance happening in the room next to us. As if there is not enough drama in the play! Apparantly Mauricio (our illustrious producer) then calmed the poor woman who thought something horrific was happening next door to her new flat, and confirmed with the police that it IS only a performance. And all this was before the gun shot went off!
It does make one remember the shocking nature of the play, but I think the fact that our neighbour rang the police is encouraging, and affirms that there is still a semblance of community spirit in London (something the play places huge importance on!)
If that's not a reason to come see this new revival of Philip Ridley's 'Mercury Fur' I don't know what is!
The first review is in, by Matt Boothman in the British Theatre Guide:
"theatredelicatessen couldn't conceivably have picked a more ideal play with which to kick off their latest found-space residency. Mercury Fur is a perfect fit for a bold young company (provided it's staged with maturity), as well as for the space, a disused office block just off Oxford Street..."
"It's evidence that the controversy that greeted its premiere was not all Mercury Fur had to offer; even with its shocks somewhat blunted by foreknowledge, it just takes the right company in the right space to reveal the heart behind the horrors."
Read the full review here
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Photo courtesy of Philip Ridley, taken in final Dress Rehearsal, 09/02/2009
Mercury Fur first night report by Director Frances Loy
It's a terrifying thing, stepping out of your comfort zone. For two and half months our space has been sacred. We played, shared, experimented, failed, picked ourselves back up and started again. We've debated endlessly the merits of choices, discussed and been saddened by research materials, worked our bodies, minds and very souls to breaking point, with a few bruises along the way. And last night, we finally shared it with Outsiders.
Our audience members were still in the bar when the actors and I emerged post-show - always a good sign! And the response has been overwhelming, from those who've seen the show before, those who've only read it and (most importantly) those who have had no previous experience of Mercury Fur. Our story is clear, always my massive priority. The space doesn't just suit the work - it adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere with someone even saying this play isn't meant for a traditional theatre - it needs to be seen, warts and all, in this sort of space. Gasps were heard in the right places, a few titters that we can build on - and tears were flowing before the final blackout.
We still have work to do, but it's exciting work because it involves every member of the audience who walks through the doors. We've left the safety of our enclosed rehearsals but in laying ourselves bare we can now share the story with the people it was created for, and let it grow in their response.
We have stepped outside our comfort zone - we invite you to join us.
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