Entertaining Mr Sloane

Review

Sometimes in the theatre, twice the effect can be achieved with half the apparent effort – especially when dealing with the absurd and outrageous. And HumDrum’s production of Joe Orton’s black comedy proves the point.

Much of it is played low-key, quietly and conversationally. As a result the chatter of the one female character, beautifully played by Caz Gilmore, is a hoot – and the bursts of violence are all the more shocking.

Director James George further puts his stamp on the play by having set and costumes all in black, white and greys, with monochrome photos of 1960’s figures such as The Beatles, Christine Keeler and Ena Sharples placing the action firmly in period.

Movements are all strikingly natural in context, and the production also achieves the other key quality in Orton’s writing – contrasting formal use of language, as in “a never-ending tide of infamy”, with startling conduct.

Mr Sloane finds that different parts of his anatomy attract the lust of his landlady and her brother, and proceeds to manipulate them to his own ends. He is played by James Hume with enigmatic force – and the ability to make the words “pole-vault”, spoken to the brother, blaze with seductive suggestiveness. In response, Sean Fisher seems positively to sweat with excitement.

A fine cast is completed by Terry Moore, shambollically shuffling as the father.

Mike Allen – The News