PETER MASON applauds the revival, 39 years later with the same team and cast, of Manfred Karge’s version of Brecht’s 100-year-old play, Mann Ist Mann
On not selling out
PAUL DONOVAN applauds a timely play that explores the resonances of McCarthyite nationalism in today’s US
SUPPING WITH THE DEVIL: Stanley Townsend (Mr Parks), Ivanno Jeremiah (Sidney Poitier) and Oliver Johnstone (Bobby) in Retrograde
[Marc Brenner]
New releases from Biita Houdei, The Mary Wallopers, and The Tubs
New releases from Biita Houdei, The Mary Wallopers, and The Tubs
MAYER WAKEFIELD applauds a fearless attempt to bring to the stage the 1984 toxic gas disaster in Bhopal, India
ALEX HALL applauds the account of a dogged, traumatic and punishing campaign for justice that has lasted from 1998 to the present day
NICK WRIGHT laments the political bias of an epic attempt to tell the history of the liberation of France from the Nazis, that excludes both the decisive contribution of the Soviet Red Army, and of the French communist party itself
Retrograde
Apollo Theatre, London
THIS fascinating play about actor and civil rights activist Sidney Poitier grips from start to finish.
Retrograde began life at the Kiln theatre in Kilburn, two years ago, prior to graduating on to the West End. Expertly directed by Amit Sharma, Ryan Calais Cameron’s sharp script is brought to life by some great performances from Ivanno Jeremiah (Sidney Poitier), Stanley Townsend (Mr Parks) and Oliver Johnstone (Bobby). The witty dialogue provides a great tempo to the essential plot, which revolves around temptation and betrayal.
Aged 28, Poitier is on the edge of making his acting breakthrough but in the fevered atmosphere of 1950s McCarthyite America, betrayal is required in order to make that leap. He must betray his friend Paul Robeson in order to prove himself a loyal American. The dilemma is nicely summarised with the biblical quote from Poitier as to “what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul.”
Similar stories
GEOFF BOTTOMS applauds a world-class production King Lear that pits late feudalism against a rising bourgeoisie
PAUL DONOVAN welcomes a revival of Reginald Rose’s classic play that reminds us of the fundamental need for trials with juries
SIMON PARSONS applauds the timely revival of a play about solidarity and betrayal within Britain’s Pakistani community
PETER MASON applauds a stage version of Le Carre’s novel that questions what ordinary people have to gain from high-level governmental spying