The Revenger’s Tragedy

Published Tuesday 3 June 2008 at 18:20 by Natalie Anglesey

Tarantino meets Jacobean tragedy is a brief summary of Jonathon Moore’s vibrant new production, which rates a similar body count. This contemporary production, punctuated by pulsating, pop music, proves that a work written 400 years ago can still be relevant today.

The disputed authorship of this bloody tragedy sees both Thomas Middleton and Cyril Tourner proposed as creators of this tale of lust, murder and retribution. But there’s no doubt, even with Moore’s edited text, that this remains a powerful piece of writing full of poetic savagery, laced with black humour.

There are few regional theatres nowadays which can afford a cast of 14 fine actors, headed by Stephen Tompkinson. His performance is a revelation, first as Vindici, the grief-stricken lawyer set on revenge, who is transformed into the posturing Piato, servant to the Duke’s son, until his thirst for retribution is finally satiated.

Guest director Jonathan Moore’s brilliant conception, aided by his opera designer David Blight, supplies endless visual delights from roses spiralling from the ceiling to a lascivious shower scene culminating in a murderous masque.

Contrasting comic scenes of high camp sees a macabre murder executed to Julie Andrews’ My Favourite Things, while a grotesque dance with the dead body, performed to The Sun Has Got His Hat On, brought spontaneous applause.

This violent society, spiralling out of control, contains disturbing echoes of our time in this vividly exciting piece of theatre which deserves to be seen elsewhere.