The Stage

Look Back in Anger

Published Monday 17 January 2005 at 16:30 by Thom Dibdin

This Royal Lyceum revival is a vibrant, satisfying piece of theatre which finds a relevance to the modern world. Youth, it reminds us, still looks for good, brave causes only to discover that the bravest is closest to home.

Richard Baron directs at a pace which, while generating a feeling of high-octane energy, finds time for the characters to settle into the silences between them. The energy is all but psychotic when it comes to David Tennant’s Jimmy. He is like a caged animal with the petulance of a child and articulacy of a natural orator. Yet he oozes sexuality in a way which justifies the whole strange menage a trois with Alison and fellow lodger Cliff. And makes Helen’s later passion towards him inevitable.

Kelly Reilly’s Alison is a slither of a character. Yet beneath her insubstantial and, yes, pusillanimous exterior there is obviously a steel-strong will, ready to be unleashed. Between them, Steven McNicoll brings a strong physical presence to Cliff in a natural performance which balances the central trio while providing a solid springboard for the comedy of the play.

As they bounce off the walls of Trevor Coe’s surprisingly spacious but atmospheric set, Alexandra Moen’s encroachment as Helena is deliciously timed as she exudes spite and bottles up sex. Monika Nisbet has had particular fun with her costumes, although all catch and display the essential elements of the characters. Only Gareth Thomas’ Colonel fails to please, in a sleepwalking performance which sounds great but never convinces.