REVIEW: A Single Man at Park Theatre 200

Where historic snapshots are involved 1962 was a momentous 12 months. John F. Kennedy was US President and the Beatles launched their first single. Marilyn Monroe died and the Sixties, as we got here to grasp them, have been about to be unleashed. In October the Cuban Missile Crisis threatened Armageddon. East and West have been locked in a lethal recreation of brinkmanship because the world held its breath. Set in opposition to this backdrop is a story of affection and loss hidden in plain sight. Based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man was become a profitable movie starring Colin Firth in 2009. This stage adaptation by Simon Reade now finds a pure residence at Park Theatre.

George (Theo Fraser Steele) is an expatriate English professor in Los Angeles. He continues to be coming to phrases with the lack of his associate Jim in a street accident the earlier 12 months. The story follows sooner or later in his life, starting identical to some other. George nonetheless looks like an Englishman overseas even after 20 years on the West Coast. His neighbours are ever interested in this erudite gentleman of their midst. Archetypal American couple the Strunks (Phoebe Pryce and Freddie Gaminara) surprise what occurred to his ‘pal’ Jim. George is content material to allow them to suppose he simply moved away somewhat than clarify his melancholy. He always fights loneliness and leans on fellow ex-pat Charley (Olivia Darnley) for consolation. However, his attentions are more and more diverted by good-looking, talkative pupil Kenny (Miles Molan).

Even although the story has already acquired the large display remedy it fits the stage simply as nicely. The intimate set is sparsely populated with props that rapidly double up as they’re rapidly moved into place for every scene. So the visible fuss is minimal and permits the narrative to breathe. The forged delivers well-controlled performances in a chunk that units the historic context from the outset. The supporting characters transfer gently round George as insights reveal progressively extra of a posh persona. Theo Fraser Steele is in commanding kind and owns the function of George. His hanging resemblance to Colin Firth does him no hurt and supplies a helpful reference level to the movie. Quite merely, a superb adaptation of a terrific novel that feels refreshed nearly 60 years after it was printed. Another smash hit for the Park Theatre and additional proof their high quality management division is working its socks off.

Review by Brian Penn

Rating: ★★★★