This matinee performance is packed with pensioners and teenagers in school uniform. The stage is hidden by the 'Fire Curtain', giving me cause to wonder why. Although I have never read the book nor watched the film, I am not given to believe it involves pyrotechnics. The only fireworks I anticipate hearing are likely linguistic, given that the script has been written by Aaron Sorkin, the master storyteller behind The West Wing.
For nearly three hours (including an interval), I am mesmerised by this production. Richard Coyle channels his inner Gregory Peck, giving a flawless performance as Atticus Finch, bereaved father of two and defence lawyer for the accused. The kids act as narrators, providing a contextual perspective and posing questions for the audience to consider as the story unfolds. The longer the show goes on, the more my inner writer wants answers, and happily, every question is resolved by the end.
I can see why the text is studied for Higher Grade English, given how it raises questions around racism, incest, justice, and societal norms post the abolition of slavery.
The set design is incredible. Elements descend and ascend, roll in and roll out, as the cast smoothly aids everything in transit to avoid needless delays. The show has a large cast, without requiring actors to double up in multiple roles. The casting is sharp, with each role filled by someone who looks, acts, and sounds the part.
The most lavish praise should go to Richard Coyle. I was aware of his previous TV work in Coupling and Strange, but this performance was truly outstanding. At the very end, after all the other cast had taken their bows, when he came forward, minus his Atticus Finch spectacles, you could see he had shed his acting persona, relaxing into a more comfortable posture, thus revealing the extent of his transformation.
I loved it. Marvellous!
Ticket Price: £52 x 2 plus £3.95 Transaction Fee = £107.95 from ATG.
Production Photos by Johan Persson
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