|
|
|
|
|
Faith Healer Malvern Theatres **** Brian Friel’s twentieth century masterpiece Faith Healer brings scintillating storytelling to Malvern Theatres this week. A collection of sublime monologues begins with the Fantastic Faith Healer himself, Frank Hardy (Paul Carroll). Hardy’s charismatic rendition of events as he recounts his journey around England and Wales, ending in his homeland of Ireland, keeps you intrigued and sceptical to his supposed healing talents. Next to centre stage is wife, Grace (Gina Costigan) as she displays her devotion to the cause and the hardships with all the ups and downs to boot. The marital bubble seemingly close to bursting with lots of hot air pushing at the membrane holding the delicacies all together with a fragility as everything floats in the balance and drifts on the slipstream. The second Act introduces the dazzling Cockney, belting out the baritone, that is, manager Teddy (Jonathan Ashley) who holds everything together and the love for his clients keeps the business travelling its course with a few unexplained miracles along the way. A captivating tale, such is life, with its roundabouts and swings and the final conclusion only leaves you wanting more, especially more about the bagpipe-playing whippet. The set and costume director Bek Palmer, cleverly reflects the broken Kingdom that helped weave the broken promises and characters together across troubled waters, with a darkness that allows the dialogue to shine. Following the recent success of an awkward polyester soiree with Mike Leigh’s 1977 comedy Abigail’s Party in July, London Classic Theatre now brings Faith Healer across the UK this autumn, directed by Michael Cabot, also the founder and director of LCT. Award-winning Irish playwright Brian Friel (1929-2015) wrote more than thirty plays across six decades with major works including Dancing at Lughnasa, Molly Sweeney, Philadelphia, Here I Come and Translations. Do you believe in miracles? See it to believe it with Faith Healer this week at Malvern Theatres until Saturday September 23rd, with tickets costing from £8.96 up to £31.92 and matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. For more information visit malvern-theatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01684 892277. After Malvern from 26th to 27th September it will be at The Theatre Chipping Norton. Emma Trimble 19-09-23 Faith Healer will perform as Lichfield Garrick
27-28 October 2023 (Studio) |
|
|
|
