Bent

Published Friday 6 October 2006 at 16:30 by Paul Vale

Max flounces around thirties Berlin with his boyfriend Rudy blissfully unaware of the Nazi’s rising power. Arrested and tortured he prefers to masquerade as Jewish than to suffer the worse indignities suffered by those who wear the pink triangle with pride.

It has been over 25 years since Martin Sherman’s play opened at the Royal Court and time certainly hasn’t dimmed the power of the writing or the importance of the message. Robin Don’s slick design compliments Daniel Kramer’s pacey, powerful direction with bullish stormtroopers tossing the scenery aside mirroring the reign of terror.

Alan Cumming is perfectly cast as the decadent, promiscuous Max, not a million miles removed from his last role in the West End as the Emcee in Cabaret. A remarkably difficult role, both mentally and physically, Cumming rises to the challenge without succumbing to movie star theatrics. His generosity on stage as a performer is highlighted in scenes with excellent newcomer Chris New as Horst. Their time together on stage, brutally honest and desperately tender, bring the story to its tragic conclusion. Straight from an Otto Dix canvas Richard Bremer plays Greta, a drag queen in decline rasping his way through Streets of Berlin (penned by Sherman and the Pet Shop Boys’ Chris Lowe).

Hugh Ross as Max’s urbane uncle and the wonderful Kevin Trainor as Rudy both offer strong support.

Producer Sonia Friedman has put together a staggering array of talent both on stage and off headed by Cumming in a glorious and hopefully lengthy return to these shores.