A superb production close to both Kubrick’s film and Burgess’ novel. A vision of a dystopic society is created by some masterful touches, in particular the scenes of stylised violence which dance before the eyes, much like the films used to rehabilitate Alex, who is king of this ‘horrorshow’. Strutting about the stage, held aloft by his thugs, Alex begins in control of this nightmare only to become so desperate to escape that even suicide cannot save him.

Acts of brutality are chillingly choreographed: silence as a woman is brutally raped creates a dream-like effect, as victims scream but cannot be heard; fighting is transformed into waltzing as Beethoven’s music envelops the scene. The movement on stage is mesmerising, almost hypnotic, alluding to the mind-altering therapy which Alex will later receive and similarly subverting the audience’s reactions to such ordinarily abhorrent behaviour.

This is a demanding and physical performance by a cast who never leave the stage and who function as inanimate props and scenery in addition to their character roles. The energy which this brings to the stage adds to the almost Bacchanalian orgy of violence portrayed, as both audience and performers become engrossed in the intense physicality of this piece.

Sharply produced and incredibly compelling this performance is a must-see for the Festival. The company’s rendering of Burgess’ masterpiece is impressive and should most certainly be used as a benchmark for the very best theatre that the Fringe can offer.

Who: A Clockwork Orange
Where: Gilded Balloon
When: 16:00-17:00; 3rd-28th August (except 16th)

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 14th, 2005 at 12:59 pm and is filed under Reviews from 2005, Theatre Reviews 2005. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.