REVIEWS REVIEWS
The Peter Hall season at Bath Theatre Royal brings quality of performance, direction and settings that will engage and delight the audience. Man and Superman is a well-recognised Bernard Shaw play, which Sir Peter Hall has included into the series revolving around "dependency of women on men or men on women". Man and Superman performed as Shaw intended, with the inclusion of the setting of Don Juan in heaven and hell, provided the audience with great humour that was delivered by great performances, particularly Will Keen as Jack Tanner, and thought provoking messages.
The death of Ann Whitfield's (Rebecca Hall) father provides the start of Man and Superman with the problem of shared guardianship between the conventional Roebuck Ramsden (James Laurenson) and the young modernist Jack Tanner. Octavius Robinson (Gyuri Sarossy) tries to support both potential guardians as a friend to Jack and through loyalty to Roebuck, but truly driven by his love for Ann. Ann, as a modern Edwardian lady, resolves the issue by her manipulation of parental love and it sees the two protagonists working together for her. Ann's performance and skills grow throughout the play but her voice, mannerisms and movements convey well a modern 21st century female, but not necessarily the more refined, modern Edwardian lady. Jack's embracement of modern thoughts is carried throughout the play, even with misunderstandings around the "apparent" unmarried state of Octavius' sister Violet (Sophie Winkleman). The different acts show great use of variation in tone of voice, speed and eloquence, which captures the audience.
Relationships are key to the whole of Man and Superman; between Ann and her mother, manipulating through love; Octavius' infatuation for Ann; Violet's secret relationship; Ramsden's affection for Ann as a substitute grandparent and Ann's unconditional love for Jack which she conveys and manipulates through all her relationships. Jack portrays the turmoil of his feelings superbly throughout and in Act four Ann really demonstrates the full repertoire of persuasive actions to ensnare Jack.
Life forces, the attractions of life, becomes the key theme emerging from the inclusion of the Heaven and Hell scene, where a tenuous connections is made between Don Juan's life and Jack Tanner's. The change of pace, humour and the length of this scene almost detracted from the excellent presentations of the earlier and final acts, but Jack keeps reverting to the importance of life forces in the final act thus making the longer evening worthwhile.
The audience applauded the vitality and quality of Jack's performance. It would not be appropriate to single out any other performer for special mention because everyone contributed to the overall effect of a truly superb performance and enjoyable evening. © JG
“Man and Superman” is in repertory at Bath from the 30th of June until the 14th of August, 2004.
