THEATRE 
REVIEWS
The Count of Monte Cristo
West Yorkshire Playhouse
Leeds
ENGLAND
Swashbuckling
Your imagination will surely be stimulated in this new production of the classic story of imprisonment and revenge. This is a play for the younger members of the audience even though Alexandre Dumas wrote this story in 1846 and it has travelled the years well. This new version, adapted by Joel Horwood and directed by Alan Lane, uses the props of the period and lets the young actors have free range over the script to get their story home to the assembled audience at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Daniel Rigby as Dantes, the wronged mariner, gives a sometimes out of breath performance as the main character, but is otherwise faultless as he gets his message home. Polly Frame, Tilly Gaunt, Pieter Lawman, Oliver Senton and Duncan Wisbey give support to the oppressed main character, supplying an entertaining evening of swashbuckling as they work their way through forty six characters - no mean feat. All their efforts make for space and time to show their accomplished acting skills and allow the audience to hear the writer’s words clearly.
Barney George gives us an interesting set which does its job well aided by imaginative props, and the music, by Heather Fenoughty, which wafts over it gives just the right atmosphere. The fights arranged by Kate Waters are as usual first rate.
So for a new take on an old story this play is worth a visit. BA ©
“The Count of Monte Cristo” is at the West Yorkshire Playhouse Leeds on the 16th April 2010 until the 15 May, 2010. Box Office Telephone: 0113 213 7700. Ticket prices: Adults £16 - £26. Duration 2 hours 55 minutes with a 20 minutes interval. Ask about ticket price concessions for children, students, pensioners and disabilitiy. Council car parking charge was free from 5.30pm until 10pm, unless it is suspended.
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