Post by SheWolf on Feb 2, 2004 23:09:55 GMT 1
Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs @ Bolton Octagon
Alan Hulme
MIXED SUCCESS: Little Malcolm
BACK in the swinging sixties, Little Malcolm was part of new wave British drama and was performed around the world. There was a London revival five years ago but I can't remember when it was last in the north west.
Does Yorkshire-born writer David Halliwell's once much-lauded only big success stand the test of time?
Thrown out of Huddersfield Tech for being a bad influence, Malcolm Scrawdyke is a crazy, mixed-up art student, who wants to rule the world but can't even pluck up the courage to invite a girl to bed.
A comic study of a student Hitler, Scrawdyke dragoons three friends into an political party whose methods mirror those of the Nazis and Stalin.
Director Mark Babych has assembled an exceptionally strong young cast of familiar TV faces. There is a powerful central performance from Paul Simpson (Real Men, Cold Feet, Queer As Folk etc), backed to the hilt by William Ash (Burn It, Clocking Off etc), Graeme Hawley (MEN Best Newcomer 2000, The Cops, Frost etc) and Jeff Hordley (Emmerdale's Cain Dingle). It's an excellent ensemble.
There is also a spectacular artist's garret set from Patrick Connellan, the quality of the production throughout amply demonstrating where some of the extra Arts Council cash is going.
The problem of the evening, for me, lies with the play, which, at an epic total of three hours-plus, is at least 30 minutes too long.
It is too repetitious, too ponderous and too often just downright tedious. The Octagon has been in contact with the author and should have insisted on cuts.
As it is, the script still has something to say but it's a pity it takes so long saying it.
Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs continues the Bolton Octagon until February 21. For more information, call the box office on 01204 520661.
Alan Hulme
MIXED SUCCESS: Little Malcolm
BACK in the swinging sixties, Little Malcolm was part of new wave British drama and was performed around the world. There was a London revival five years ago but I can't remember when it was last in the north west.
Does Yorkshire-born writer David Halliwell's once much-lauded only big success stand the test of time?
Thrown out of Huddersfield Tech for being a bad influence, Malcolm Scrawdyke is a crazy, mixed-up art student, who wants to rule the world but can't even pluck up the courage to invite a girl to bed.
A comic study of a student Hitler, Scrawdyke dragoons three friends into an political party whose methods mirror those of the Nazis and Stalin.
Director Mark Babych has assembled an exceptionally strong young cast of familiar TV faces. There is a powerful central performance from Paul Simpson (Real Men, Cold Feet, Queer As Folk etc), backed to the hilt by William Ash (Burn It, Clocking Off etc), Graeme Hawley (MEN Best Newcomer 2000, The Cops, Frost etc) and Jeff Hordley (Emmerdale's Cain Dingle). It's an excellent ensemble.
There is also a spectacular artist's garret set from Patrick Connellan, the quality of the production throughout amply demonstrating where some of the extra Arts Council cash is going.
The problem of the evening, for me, lies with the play, which, at an epic total of three hours-plus, is at least 30 minutes too long.
It is too repetitious, too ponderous and too often just downright tedious. The Octagon has been in contact with the author and should have insisted on cuts.
As it is, the script still has something to say but it's a pity it takes so long saying it.
Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs continues the Bolton Octagon until February 21. For more information, call the box office on 01204 520661.
