OBSERVER: Lord of the Flies
Narrative and theatre collide in this production of Lord of the Flies directed by Steven Mitchell Wright.
First adapted for the stage in 1995 by Nigel Williams from William Golding’s novel, the story of English schoolboys going feral has become a classroom classic highlighting how easily the thin veneer of culture is broken.
Wright has overemphasised production elements, losing sight of any nuance and subtlety in this realization of the work.
The script itself is faithful to the text but the audience is almost overwhelmed by some creative decisions that impede the flow of the story.
The 45-degree rake on the stage is imposing, suggesting the drama that is to come, but it has ostensibly been done for one particular effect at the end of act one; a shower of rain that must get away efficiently.
It is grand but could have easily been simulated.
The build, the plumbing and the inherent safety dangers all add drama of a different kind.
Other opportunities have been missed. The ‘beast’ to which the boys allude is a downed pilot.
Simon’s death (Sam Finn Gudgeon) is linked to this and a simple costume association would have made this connection more efficiently. It has been missed.
Angus Leighton as ‘Ralph’, Oliver Cowen as ‘Piggy’ and Sean Yuen Halley as ‘Jack’ lead the cast of fellow survivors but, all too soon, the aggression and violence erupts where a more even progression might have helped in an appreciation of how we lose the better part of ourselves.
Having taught the novel in a boys’ school, much can be made of the rhyme and meter of ‘kill the pig’ as it builds to a crescendo.
It begins playfully but ultimately becomes a mantra, but this cast are at full volume most of the time.
Full marks for enthusiasm, but the theatricality seems to be at odds with the story.
Theatre Works until October 2.
Review by David McLean
Pictured: Blaise Tindale, Oliver Cowen, Charlie Veitch, Sean Yuen Halley, Oliver Gorringe, Declan Magee, Darcy Crawford and William Bastow in Lord of the Flies.
Photo: Matthew Chen.