England going backwards to the Steptoe and Son period and a miserable and prejudiced postwar life still stuck in the social conventions of the empire that it left behind in the 70’s with glam rock and later with punk.
What is meant to elevate it, is that this is a black comedy but the interpretation benefit from no meta objective or subtext just a postmodern (re)capturing of past foibles with no motive or motivation to make a higher point. This predicament of the play becomes evidently farcical at the climax, where the argument and fun doesn’t hold up and it falls apart.
Tamzin was great in the role of the woman and sister in need of a man oppressed and liberated at the same time, and she could have done more if the direction was more focused on ‘a theme’. Jordan was unexepectedly shallow where more is expected. In his demeanour he seemed as if ‘told’ to ignore his skin colour and history to treat himself as the equal of the other two, without questions asked. The Brother and Father were great in the old Steptoe and son way.
- Written by Joe Orton
- Directed by Nadia Fall
Nadia Fall launchee her first season as Young Vic Artistic Director with Joe Orton’s 1964 cult classic brimming with manipulation, seduction, and a devilish wit. Starring Tamzin Outhwaite (Abigail’s Party) as Kath and Jordan Stephens (Rizzle Kicks) as the enigmatic Mr Sloane.
