"Peter Strickland’s acclaimed subliminal horror film is adapted for the stage by Joel Horwood and Director Tom Scutt in this darkly comedic, sonic experience." From the Donmar Warehouse website.
A play of magnitudes, epic sound effects and a lead in Tom Brooke, that absolutely stole the show! Have to say that since it's true, as Gilderoy stole every minute he was on screen, from the comical, to the innuendos, to the absence of understanding or speaking Italian on his part in the play, it was funny, serious and even scary at times. But not that scary for someone who's into that kinda stuff. Hey I got it right again getting seats on the side of the stage where all the action was taking place! Yay for me! ha.
The play about a group of actors who get together and add sound effects to the production of a film, with the 'sound foley artist' which comes across as being "art" by Santini, apparently the 'weirdo' producer, who goes all out to ensure his film is a masterpiece, sorry his work of art! With Luke Pasqualino appearing in his almost 10 minute role, which you could dub (no pun) a cameo almost. His addition more of a pep talk for Gilderoy, but also it reeked more of a producer getting his way and how he wants things done as long as he has money and can all all the shots!
Gilderoy gets messages from his mother in England in the form of the old fashioned tapes and she's not a well woman. As he begins to add the sound effects to the film, demonstrating all manner of objects in the process which could be used to create potential sound, the cast approach him on the script and what they have to do, including having to scream realistically and loudly! And not being happy with the script and what was filmed, ranging from the actress, Terese having to be exorcised by priests as she's apparently possessed by a demon and the priest being able to rip off her clothes and run hot metal on her body and caress it. With the end scene where she's meant to be kissed to death! Whilst the other priests stand by and do nothing. Got the impression that Santini was making one of 'those' movies, as Terese, or the actress voicing Terese says that she's killed at the end for real. Cue loud noises from the recording studio booth, as though there's a stray spirit lurking. Well I got the impression she wasn't alive!
Terese also appearing saying she will get her revenge on everyone and show the curse is real, as she destroys his tape deck. We then hear another part of his message from his mother saying they need money for her ailment and he should go to Italy eve if he doesn't know the language. As a man walks on the stage who is meant to be Gilderoy, now aged.
Will never look at another piece of celery in the same way again! Used as sound effects for neck break!! Or the humble water melon even! Comedic moments as the others come onto the stage producing their own sound effects with the film playing, explaining why the cast kept looking towards the audience, part of them anyway, as the were really looking at the projection screen.
It's an effective drama and enough to keep you watching and interested (especially f you haven't seen the film of the same name). Tom as Gilderoy, as said, was particularly great in his role. The cast stating that it's a play about the 'differences' between men and women and their roles. Not only on the play but also in society. Which is true as it's the men who are in charge, Santini getting his own way, Francesco too as the 'not so good' man in charge and for a brief moment Gilderoy gets to boss him about when Santini is around! With the females just being ordered around and seen as token objects as Francesco refers to Terese as having "poison tits." Clearly it's a play on ethics too, how art is created, artists manipulated and seriously questioning how that art is made, filmed and even interpreted to an extent!
Let's hear it for Gilderoy's Box Hill doco.
Only most of it was spoken in Italian and so a little detracting unless you know Italian but it's easy not to get lost and you can follow what's happening. If anything it just puts you closer into the shoes of Gilderoy and this is exactly how he feels being a foreigner in a foreign land! Probably also a more modern nod towards Brexit seeping in, or is that just my imagination?!!
A must see until 30th March at the Donmar Warehouse who put on some of the most best and brilliant productions going!
NB some of these are my own writings of what I interpreted and may not be definitively what you were meant to think/feel/imagine etc.
Luke did a vanishing act on 5th March as there were a few fans waiting to see him and apparently he was already gone!!
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