Adapted by Marilyn Campbell-Lowe and Curt Columbus
From the novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Directed by Caroline Stacey
A Street Theatre production
The Street Theatre to 7 July
Reviewed by Len Power 22 June 2024
First published in 1886, Dostoyevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’ is a classic study of murder, detection, motivation and a murderer’s harrowing journey to enlightenment. It asks searching fundamental questions of human existence that remain uncomfortable and relevant today.
This adaptation by the American writers, Marilyn Campbell-Lowe and Curt Columbus, distils the action and many characters and events of the novel into an interrogation and mind game between the murderer, impoverished student, Raskolnikov, and the police inspector, Porfiry. Flashbacks and an unnerving dream sequence include a prostitute, Sonia, her drunkard father, Marmeladov, and the murdered women, an elderly pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanova, and her half-sister, Lizaveta.
Raskolnikov believes that he himself is above the law and extraordinary to such an extent that he is entitled to decide who is worthy of life and of death. If that death can change the lives of many others for the better, then that is a worthy justification for the taking of a life he believes is useless. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of the crime, Raskolnikov is deeply unsettled by his action and unnerved by the apparently amiable discussions about the murder with the inspector.
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| Christopher Samuel Carroll as Raskolnikov |
Christopher Samuel Carroll gives a multi-faceted portrayal of the murderer, Raskolnikov. Keeping the character likeable, he almost becomes uncomfortably convincing in his justifications for the killings. The conflict in his disturbed mind is skilful and subtly played.
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| PJ Williams as Porfiry |
PJ Williams gives a wily and formidable portrayal of the inspector, Porfiry. He maintains an impressive and subtle tension under his relaxed, ironic manner in the discussions with the murderer, showing that he is not to be under-estimated. He also plays Sonia’s drunkard father in flashbacks and is a presence in Raskolnikov’s dream.
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| Josephine Gazard (Sonia) and Christopher Samuel Carroll (Raskolnikov) |
Josephine Gazard plays Sonia with a moving sense of sadness and loss of innocence. Her concern for Raskolknikov’s situation is touchingly played. She also plays the murdered woman and her sister in flashbacks and appears in the dream sequence.
A fine adaptation of the novel, it has been keenly directed by Caroline Stacey. The production design by Kathleen Kershaw of several platforms is deceptively simple and the clever lighting design by Darren Hawkins adds a great deal of atmosphere, as does Kimmo Vennonen’s brooding and troubling sound design. The overall creativity in set, lighting and sound is very effective.
This is a strong, focussed production that entertains on a police interrogation level but also makes us consider deeper, disturbing questions about human existence and interaction.
Photos by Nathan Smith
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.
