Wise Children at the Oxford Playhouse

Almost exactly three years ago, I posted my review of Rebecca at the Oxford Playhouse.

Last night it was the turn of Kneehigh Theatre to bring us Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. Emma Rice is the Jojnt Artistic Director of Kneehigh (she becomes Artistic Director of The Globe next year - watch out Globe audiences) and has adapted and directed this classic story. And what an amazing theatrical experience she has created. This is what modern theatre is all about, it really engages with the audience. So we have sea shanties (the setting of Cornwall for the book and the home of Kneehigh is important here), we have comic songs, comic dances and a set to die for. Most of the audience will know the plot, so the combination of melodrama and humour works really well.

What a prediction that turned out to be. Following two seasons of her typically inventive productions at The Globe ("How did I get to be so controversial?"), the board gave Emma a vote of no confidence and she walked away. Fortunately for us outside London, her brand new touring company, also named Wise Children, have given us another all singing, all dancing spectacular. Hugely ambitious in it's plot, we get to know the full history of the twins, Nora and Dora Chance from their conception to adulthood. 

Their family is interwoven with that of the Hazzards, It's a good job that we have narrators to unravel the complexities of the plot, in the form of the eighty plonk Nora and Dora as they look back on their life. As babies they are puppets, brilliantly handled by the cast, as a pair of young children, adult actors Mirabelle Gremaud and Bettrys Jones are wonderful and as young adults Melissa James and (yes, a man) Omari Douglas are awesome. Actually awesome. Here they are:

Either side of them in the picture are the ancient twins, brilliantly played by Etta Murfitt and (yes, again a man) Gareth Snook. This alternating age, genders and race is all part of Emma Rice's devil may care attitude to casting. As long as they are good. Here are Melissa and Omari again, with some Hazard children.

Eclipsing them all is Katy Owen as Grandma Chance. She completely brings to the party that coarse and mischievous talent that the Director so adores. 

Add in a bawdy comedian from a 1950's end of the pier show and Paul Hunter is not only funny, but he doubles as the older Melchior Hazard.

If you like something that is a cross between a play, a musical, cabaret and a revue, this is for you. Angela Carter's book may not be to everyone's taste, but Emma Rice was smitten and it makes a worthy start to her new project. Sheer entertainment, with a tough moral story bolted on.