Edward Alderton Theatre

The Revenger's Tragedy
by Thomas Middleton

Directed by Ian Long

23-30 July 2011 (7 performances)

betty bailey award for scenic design

wilson trophy for best male actor: richard self

certificate of merit for best female actor: rachel de silva

A man whose wife is murdered on their wedding day exacts revenge on those responsible for her death...

Cast
Duke	Tony Donnelly
Lussurioso	Richard Self
Spurio	Richard Banks
Duchess	Wendy Marsh
Ambitiosa	Charlotte Jacobs
Supervacua	Hannah Jacobs
Jumior	George Coward
Vindice	Rachel de Silva
Hippolito	Mark Campbell
Castiza	Sonja Grassmugg
Gratiana	Eleanor McEnery
Lord Antonio	Kevin Coward
Lord Piero	Andy Masters
Nencio	David Puckridge
Carla	Anne Hempstead
Dondolo	Rod Henderson
Third Officer	George Coward
Prison Keeper	Kevin Coward

Crew
Stage Manager	Sarah O'Hanlon
Assistant Stage Manager	Viv Stapleton
Set Design	Ian Long, Wendy Marsh
Set Construction	John Vinnels, Ron Andrews, Ian Long, Andy Masters, Richard Banks
Set Realisation	Wendy Marsh, Ian Long, Charlotte Jacobs, Richard Banks
Lighting Rigging & Programming	Jerry McKeon, Christine McKeon, Ian Long, Rebecca Mason, Ella Banks, Richard Banks
Lighting Operation	Mick Taylor
Sound Design	Ian Long, Mark Campbell
Sound Operation	Nick Hewitt
Properties	Sarah O'Hanlon
Crew	Ella Banks
Costumes	Laura Lockwood, Helen Banks, Wendy Marsh

Thanks to Wendy Marsh, Richard Banks for support above and beyond, Ron Marsh for materials and all my cast and crew for commitment, dedication and enthusiasm. Ian Long.

Preview

Tale of family's dark arts offers a walk on the wild side

First published anonymously in 1607, The Revenger's Tragedy tells the story of a man whose wife is murdered on their wedding day and his desire to exact revenge on the murderer.

Set in an unnamed Italian city, Vendice (Rachel de Silva) returns from self-imposed exile to bring down those responsible for his wife's death. Using all his wit and cunning — and with the help of his courtier brother (Mark Campbell) — he infiltrates the court of the corrupt and rapacious Duke (Tony Donnelly) by befriending his villainous son and heir, the lusty Lussurioso (Richard Self). Unfortunately, as Vendice is drawn into this corrosive circle, he finds he is required to test the honour of his young sister Castiza (Sonja Grassmugg) and recently widowed mother (Eleanor McEnery). The Duke's tottering edifice is simultaneously being eaten away from within by the despicable efforts of his family by his second marriage to the avaricious Duchess (Wendy Marsh). Stepdaughters Ambitiosa and Supervacua (Charlotte and Hannah Jacobs) and bastard Spurio (Richard Banks) alike weave their own intricate plans to achieve their selfish ends.

Rarely performed, it is a fine example of what has been labelled as the Theatre of Blood (of which Hamlet is the best known example) where dark poetry bursts like a comet across the thunderous sky of the stage. If you feel in the mood for a challenge or relish a walk on the dark side, The Revenger's Tragedy could be just what you need to darken your summer mood. The production also features George Coward, Kevin Coward, Anne Hempstead, Rod Henderson, Andy Masters and David Puckridge as Nencio.

The play runs at the Edward Alderton Theatre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, from July 23-30 (excluding Sunday) at 8pm. Tickets are £8 from the box office on 020 8301 5584.

Kentish Times | 14 July 2011

Review

Jacobean drama is still relevant to present day

The Edward Alderton Theatre ends its current season with The Revenger's Tragedy, a Jacobean drama by Thomas Middleton — and it is an ambitious finale to boot!

The play is a vivid and violent portrayal of lust and ambition in the early 17th century Italian court. Ian Long's production conveys the sense of relentless corruption and his decision to set the play in the present day reinforces the relevance of the play's themes in today's society. The director's other choice has been to cast a woman in the role of Vindice, the revenger of the play's title. Rachel de Silva provides a persuasive portrait of the young vigilante: on stage, her/his metrosexual look, swagger and delivery are entirely convincing and never once do we feel this is an example of cross-gender tokenism. She uses the space well and Vindice's questionable morality is well conveyed.

The large cast has responded well on the whole to the demands of the director who thoughtfully positions his actors on stage, especially when delivering asides or soliloquies. Yet, on occasions it seems as if many need 'more to do', particularly in scenes with larger numbers. There seems to be a lot of standing around on the minimal set, which itself was admirably constructed and decorated. Consequently, movement (or absence of it) sometimes felt posed and awkward, although to be fair, on the evening I attended, Richard Self and Eleanor McEnery seemed to grow into their respective portrayals of Lussurioso and Gratiana. Nevertheless, Ian Long managed to keep the pace going aided by diverse and engaging atmospheric sound.

Steve Spencer

Kentish Times, 4 August 2011

Miscellaneous