Doctor Faustus – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Writer: Christopher Marlowe
Director: Toby Frow
Reviewer: Malcolm Wallace
The Public Reviews Rating: 
At over four hundred years old Christopher Marlowe’s adaptation of the German legend of Faust remains a popular and regularly staged play exploring universal themes of good and evil, sin, redemption and damnation.
The story is well known. A pact sealed in his own blood sees Doctor Faustus promise his soul to the devil in return for twenty-four years of supernatural powers, ultimate knowledge and the companionship of Lucifer’s messenger Mephistopheles. At the end of this time Faustus must relinquish his soul to the devil and accept his fate of eternity damned in hell.
It’s an ensemble piece and all the performers need to be evenly matched for the play and production to really work. Thankfully the Royal Exchange has gathered a top notch cast of performers who all put in tremendous performances across the board.
As Wagner, loyal servant to Faustus, Stephen Hudson gives a spirited performance and compared with his recent performance in Charley’s Aunt at the same theatre, it’s clear that he is an extremely versatile actor. Patrick O’Kane commands the stage and has the right qualities to make Doctor Faustus both grotesque and sympathetic but his performance does suffer a little from poor diction. This cannot be said for Ian Redford, however, who as Mephistopheles has crystal clear diction and is superb in his ambiguous and devilish role.
Credit must be given to the students of Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre who make up the hard working and professional ensemble.
Visually this is a sumptuous production both in terms of set and costumes, both expertly designed by Ben Stones. There is a strong reliance in the production on Mark Jonathan’s lighting design and Richard Hammarton’s sound effects both of which beautifully enhance the eerie and dark atmosphere. Full use is made of the theatre’s flying facilities with the first entrance of Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie) being particularly striking and surprising.
Magic consultant Darren Lang has created a series of fantastic illusions which support the mystical and horrific elements of the production superbly and which have to be seen to be believed. Gavin Marshall’s transformation from Duke of Saxony to Alexander the Great is particularly jaw dropping.
Director Toby Frow has real vision and clearly possesses a knack to realise this vision. In the first half the production doesn’t falter for an instant. Scene changes are slickly choreographed and speedily executed and the whole performance space is used to its utmost potential with the principal cast and ensemble filling the stage and interacting in an almost choreographic manner. There are some very realistically staged fight scenes directed by Malcolm Ranson.
It’s unfortunate then that the pace slows considerably after the interval and much of the momentum is lost. The ensemble are underused and other than the scene at the court of the Duke of Vanholt, which briefly regains the energy seen in the first half, the latter stages limp towards a disappointing final scene and laclustre close. Much more could be made of Faustus’ remorseful realisation of the eternal damnation that awaits him and his inevitable final descent into hell.
Overall, however, the production is top quality boasting some thrilling moments and amazing visuals. It’s yet another fine example of excellent theatre from the Royal Exchange and is well worth checking out.
Photo: Jonathan Keenan – Runs until 9th Oct 2010
Tags: Ben Stones, Christopher Marlowe, Darren Lang, Doctor Faustus, Ian Redford, Manchester, Patrick O’Kane, Richard Hammarton, Royal Exchange Theatre, Stephen Hudson, Toby Frow
3:08 pm on September 26th, 2010
While I generally agree with this review, I find myself – and my two companions at yesterday’s performance – at odds with the idea that the pace flagged after the interval. While the physical tempo was reduced – some of which was generated by some slapstick frittering of Faustus magic talent – the emotional and dramatic tension wound upwards throughout the second half to a quite breathtaking finale. As it should.
Overall I thought this brilliant production used the wonderful staging resources of the theatre to the maximum and the special effects were indeed special, but these never overwhelmed the actors at the centre of the drama.
But you are right about Patrick’s diction. I thought he had a lisp at the start.
Jim
8:44 am on September 29th, 2010
I have seen this twice (so far!) and its an excellent production that works on many levels for me. It is undoubtedly a spectacle, particularly in the first half, with so much happening its almost impossible to take it all in. And if you are unfamiliar with the play, as I was on first viewing, whilst the general story is easy to follow, some of the subtleties of the piece may pass you by.
However, on second viewing, and with the benefit of having studied the text in the interim, I was able to see how perferctly pitched many of the performances were.
I completely disagree about the second half comments though. The change of pace in the second half reflects Faustus’ changing mood as he begins to recognise that he has become little more than a sideshow attraction, and the growing realisation of true price of his ‘bargain’. I found Faustus’ final speech extremely moving, and the choice of leaving him alone on the stage at that point really highlighted the tragedy for me. And Wagner’s closing almost had me in tears (but I am a complete wuss!). I am pretty sure a lot of the audience agreed with me as you could have heard a pin drop in the auditorium at that stage, even the perpetual coughers seemed to have finally found the throat sweets!
I agree this is a brilliant cast who turn in excellent performances. If I had to pick out anyone, I would echo the comments about Stephen Hudson, a complex part excellently portrayed, and I also thought Gwendoline Christie’s Lucifer was an absolute treat. But the whole cast and crew have obviously worked very hard to deliver this show.
The Royal Exchange rarely lets me down, and seems to have been on a bit of a roll of late, but this production was a real highlight for me and one that will stay with me for a very long time.