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The ensemble, which make up Pompalorum Jig, under the skilful eye of director Anthony Biggs have created a production for the 21st Century. Often seen as dated and rather stuffy, with its social attack on middle-class values and the destruction of the family from within, has been given a breath of new life by this company of skilled and talented actors from one of Britain’s leading drama schools.
The energy, verve and commitment to this slightly absurd piece is carried out with a tongue-in-cheek approach to a complex and emotive play that, in its day, sought to reflect the inability of social and political society to communicate and live in harmony. It is in this ‘harmony’ that Pompalorum Jig succeed – that is, the harmony of the company. With an acute sense of understanding, Biggs and his actors have created a fun and frolics production that in every sense is true to Brechtian philosophy – while we are having fun laughing at the mishaps and enjoying the songs our distancing does not happen until it is all over and we realise the underlying theme of the play: the destruction of something very fragile is so easy to achieve when we do not communicate – this is the point… and they achieve it with aplomb.
Do not fear though; that is the academic side talking there. What you do get in this beautifully crafted production is an ensemble piece that explodes from the start and rumbles along until its climactic ending. A fine company of actors who take Brecht’s ‘Wedding’ by the horns and create a modern day production where one cannot help but think The Last of the Summer Wine has stumbled in on the Mad Hatters Tea Party!
Great fun with a fine cast. Go and spend an hour with a company of actors who really know their craft.
Roman Eagle Lodge. Daily at 3pm.
Gene David Kirk
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