Look Back In Anger

Published Friday 4 July 2008 at 12:30 by Paul Vale

In a bedsit in the Midlands a disaffected youth rants over the class divide to the detriment of anyone who attempts to love him.

John Osbourne’s faintly autobiographical play is a landmark piece that gave birth to the angry young man and kitchen sink realism in British theatre. Verbose and somewhat dated now, this production still has magic despite some pedestrian direction from newcomer Alexander Gilmour and a variable lead performance.

With the revival of this play, Gilmour attempts to draw parallels between the inertia of the fifties and society’s current sense of apathy. This works to an extent, although most modern audiences will find it hard to fathom why anyone would want to put up with Jimmy Porter’s spoiled and abusive tirades.

Jimmy Akingbola as Porter throws himself wholeheartedly into the role, but throughout much of the first half he seems to have little natural connection to the script. He fairs much better in Act II where he lets a little light and shade temper the text.

Thankfully his supporting cast seem a little more relaxed and the play belongs to the two women in Porter’s life, Laura Dos Santos as the impassive wife Alison and Sally Leonard as her best friend Helena. Their last scene together finally brings a balance to the play and allows the modern audience a glimpse, however slight, of Porter’s limited appeal.

Simon Harrison as Cliff is thoroughly endearing and brings a welcome respite to much of the tension. Gary Raymond personifies the old guard beautifully and brings an elliptical note to the production as he originally created the role of Cliff at the Royal Court 50 years ago.