The Stage

Southwark Fair

Published Monday 20 February 2006 at 16:05 by Jeremy Austin

There is nothing like watching a play when everything from the casting and the performing to the language and direction all come together.

Samuel Adamson’s comic, thought-provoking story is one such example. At the heart is well-constructed tale of love and a betrayal, both of trust and of memories, as a group of individuals living or working around the South Bank seem only capable of looking on as their lives entwine for one day. Nicholas Hytner teases the gentle comedy from within and weaves a free flowing tale of chance encounter.

Rory Kinnear gives a sensitive, well-balanced portrayal as Simon, an insecure, non-confrontational gay thirtysomething sent giddy when he gets a call out of the blue from the slightly older man with whom he had his first sexual confrontation. Margaret Tyzack is suitably batty as his comic turn actress neighbour.

That man, Patrick, it transpires has mistakenly called the wrong person. Con O’Neill creates a man knotted inside, bitter and twisted at his life - a sham marriage, a failed writing career and a continual denial of who he really is. Madeleine Potter as his wife Toni, a crippled former singer/songwriter, finds the despair, anger, frustration and love within her character.

Seemingly adjunct to this is the story of waiter Aurek (Michael Legge) and deputy mayor, the uptight Alexander (Rhashan Stone) a gay couple on one hand embracing the seemingly liberal society that has enabled them to ‘marry’ while sensing a reality where maybe many are still not as accepting to the concept as they should be.