The Stage

Rope

Published Tuesday 25 September 2007 at 18:15 by Julie Watterston

Having seen a questionable production of Patrick Hamilton’s Rope some time ago, it was with a certain degree of apprehension that I approached the new version of a play I had decided was unworthy of its critical acclaim.

What the Watermill proves is the material of the author can be moulded into either a make or break capability by a talented cast and skilled director. Tom Daley’s direction is tightly controlled and tension is increased as the plot progresses. David Holmes’ lighting design is an equal participant setting a disquiet scene of macabre intensity with Lucy Osborne’s design giving central focus to the chest containing the murder victim’s body.

With the play performed in the round there is also the added courtroom atmosphere of the audience’s voyeurism as they consider the implications of the characters’ actions.

Gyuri Sarossy plays Wyndham Brandon with the conceited arrogance of his society status affecting an intellectual smugness at his morbid ingenuity. The production gives only a vague hint at the true sexual nature of Brandon’s relationship with Charles Granillo, played by Jake Harders, who gives a strong performance breaking down into hysterical nervousness and regaining control of his emotions, which allows the audience to develop a gentle empathy with him.

Felix Callens lightens the mood as the manservant, Sabot, with Jennifer Higham delightfully flippant as Leila while Edmund Kingsley generates the right level of sinister control as Rupert Cadell.