By Out of Joint

Reviewed 17th October 2002, at the Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford.

IN THIS piece of new writing set in the year 1773, April De Angelis creates an almost immediate classic. The story, commissioned and directed by the renowned Max Stafford-Clark, humorously explores the true events within the Theatre Royal Drury Lane when famed actor Garrick passes up the chance to stage Oliver Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer' because he is afraid to take a chance with an original script.

With a magnificent set design and gorgeous restoration costumes, the actors shine in this high calibre collaboration between the National Theatre and Stafford-Clark's company Out of Joint.

Though a comedy, 'A Laughing Matter' raises many serious questions about the purpose of theatre in society. Theatre should anticipate future trends and challenge audiences rather than simply playing to their comfortable tastes, and so we are forced to really think about the medium that we are observing.

Jason Watkins was outstanding as Garrick, playing the actor both young and old, with his schizophrenic ability to transform into a range of characters and his melodramatic outbursts. Equally, Owen Sharpe scooped many of the laughs as the witty and ridiculous Irish playwright Goldsmith.

Unfortunately, the play ended with a superfluous farcical scene that broke the pace, humour and plot of the play, while also receiving cheap laughs for recognised scenarios when in fact the witty play had already raised the Yvonne Arnaud's roof with laughter.

For an opening night, this was stunning nonetheless and will soon run at the National in reportoire with 'She Stoops to Conquer' (the play within the play). As Goldsmith himself questionned "Is the credit of our own age nothing? Must our own times pass away unnoticed by posterity?" With new plays such as this, the 21st Century should be remembered for many years to come.

NICOLA CUTCHER

FOOTNOTE - Following this review I was informed that the farce scene at the end of the play was cut dramatically, loosing 8 minutes from it's running time. Also, thanks to Jon Bradfield (marketing director for Out of Joint) for the advice and encouragement he gave me about writing reviews.