Written by Anthony
Burgess
Directed by Alexandra
Spencer-Jones
Presented by Les
Currie and Glynis Henderson Productions
Canberra Theatre
Centre, The Playhouse
May 22 to 25 May,
2013
Review by Len Power
22 May 2013
‘As queer as a clockwork orange’ was the Cockney slang that
gave Anthony Burgess his title for his 1962 novella, ‘A Clockwork Orange’, which
targets youth violence, free will and behaviourism. Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 film of the same name,
based on the novella, was a sensation at the time of its release and is now
considered a classic, but was dismissed by Burgess as ‘badly flawed’.
According to the director, Alexandra Spencer-Jones, the stage
production now touring Australia from Great Britain is using a playtext written
by the late Anthony Burgess himself, who was tired of companies bending his
novel ‘out of shape’.
Martin McCreadie gives a powerful performance as Alex, the
leader of the youth gang, the Droogs.
The other nine male cast members, playing multiple roles with sharply etched
characterisations, demonstrate ensemble playing at its best. As well as being good actors, this cast also demonstrate
strong dance ability, handling very demanding choreography throughout the show.
The director, Alexandra Spencer-Jones, presents a clear concept
for the show. It’s dark, threatening, at
times confronting and unpleasant, but with occasional flashes of humour – all necessary
for the subject matter. In addition to
the required Beethoven pieces, her choice of popular music worked well. Her choreography is a highlight of the
show. The atmospheric lighting, designed
by James Baggaley, added an important dimension to the production.
How well you know the story from either the novella or the
film may impact on your ability to follow some moments in this play, especially
as the gang members speak using a futuristic Anglo-Russian slang, Nadzat, at
times. There is no denying, however,
that ‘A Clockwork Orange’ is powerful, exciting and memorable theatre.