By Nicolai Gogol
Adapted by David
Holman
Developed by Geoffrey
Rush and Neil Armfield
Directed by Caroline
Stacey
The Street Theatre to
16 June
Reviewed by Len Power
6 June 2018
Written in 1835, Nicolai Gogol’s short story, ‘Diary Of A
Madman’, details the gradual descent into insanity of a low-ranking Russian civil
servant. Told in the first person in a
diary format, the story, in David Holman’s adaptation, becomes a powerful play
with a formidable central role of civil servant, Poprishchin.
Carolyn Stacey’s production uses the limitations of the
small Street Two space to great advantage.
She creates a claustrophobic and harsh environment for her actors to
play out this chilling story about madness.
Imogen Keen has designed a clever, towering set of stairs
and scaffolding that fills the small space from floor to ceiling extremely well. The lighting design by Niklas Pajanti is a
major achievement – complex and atmospheric and adventurous in its use of hand-held
lights by the actors. The soundscape
created by Seth Edwards-Ellis is also extraordinary, constantly weaving around
the onstage action to produce an eerie haunting effect that works wonderfully.
 |
| PJ Williams as Poprishchin |
PJ Williams gives a tour de force performance as Poprishchin. It’s a huge role with constantly changing
emotions requiring subtlety, comic timing, broad playing and physical stamina. Williams retains total control of every
aspect of his character and is totally believable from start to finish. His final scenes in the asylum are sadly disturbing.
 |
| Lily Constantine as charwoman, Touvi |
Lily Constantine also shines in the multiple roles of Touvi,
the Finnish charwoman, Sophia, the daughter of The Director and Tatiana, an
inmate of the asylum. She gives us three
very different and believable characters.
Director, Carolyn Stacey, has done a fine job with all
aspects of this production. She has obtained
excellent performances of great depth from her actors, bringing out the humour
as well as the pathos in the story. She
has combined this with high level production values as well.
This production of ‘Diary Of A Madman’ is a memorable theatrical
experience that is funny, chilling and very moving.
Photos by Mike
Jackson
Len Power’s reviews
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