Review: The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary!, Jermyn Street Theatre

Have you learn Gustave Flaubert’s 1856 masterpiece Madame Bovary? Don’t fear, I haven’t both. As the solid introduce the present and ballot the viewers, the general public current haven’t both. What follows is a madcap farce telling us Flaubert’s story, as tailored by John Nicholson. We are advised that the addition of two rat catchers – I’m sorry, “two vermin extermination officials” – is a theatrical framing system, added to permit for a contented ending. This is to allow us to depart in good cheer given the season, and whereas the e book is famously a tragedy, we’re advised that “every tragedy can have a silver lining”.

The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary! goes to nice effort to make sure that it retains the relevancy of the unique story alongside new comedy. It delivers an ending that properly balances respect for the unique and the character of Madame Bovary, but in addition for this enjoyable end-of-year piece. As for making the story right into a comedy, properly this has blended outcomes, with laughter ranges various all through the viewers. If you want your cock…erel jokes then there are loads of these accessible. If not, then there’s a couple of too lots of them, however nonetheless loads of different laughs, together with slightly poignancy.   

Madame Bovary (Jennifer Kirby) is usually performed straight all through, much less concerned within the madcap farce and never as excessive because the characters she meets. Kirby is fabulous because the heroine and significantly when she breaks character to face up for Madame Bovary, her company and her story. Dr Bovary (Sam Alexander) is performed with such innocence and naivety that it’s nearly touching, however that is then coupled, in fact, with the farcical comedy. As he keenly encourages his spouse to go for a experience within the forest with a neighbour it’s exhausting to not really feel for him.

Dennis Herdman performs a number of of Bovary’s lovers in addition to one of many rat catchers, and has a standout magic act at one level – did I point out it is a farce? Similarly, Alistair Cope performs a variety of characters and may exit the stage to enter once more instantly, merely sporting a distinct coat thrown over his shoulders to grow to be a distinct character. He makes all of it work with obvious ease and I’m positive he will need to have performed a dozen characters hilariously over the course of the play.

The set by Amy Watts is an easy, nearly cartoon-like room, which acts as many areas with ease. It gives a lot comedy, as blackboards are used for the solid to attract photos of some props on earlier than the props seem. Unlike a few of the jokes, that is used sparingly, which works to its profit. Sound (Matt Eaton) and lighting (Chris McDonnell) are deployed with impeccable timing to line up with bodily comedy. There’s notably good work by all concerned, underneath the course of Marieke Audsley.

All 4 of the solid are improbable. Any considered one of these performances in one other present might be described as a scene stealer, however right here they simply complement one another so properly. There is a way all through that the solid is de facto up for this. At the top, I felt like I’d watched a heat group of mates who had come collectively to do one thing they love, and to inform an essential story. I do know that even because the actors broke character to speak to us, they had been nonetheless in character, however all of them felt actual and invested and collectively. This, within the intimate area of Jermyn Street Theatre, felt pretty.

Written by John Nicholson
Adapted from the novel by Gustave Flaubert
Directed by Marieke Audsley
Set and Costume Design by Amy Watts
Lighting Design by Chris McDonnell
Sound Design by Matt Eaton

The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary! performs at Jermyn Street Theatre till 17 December. Further info and bookings will be discovered right here.