FIVE STARS
IT may be an epic and
bladder-busting three hour 40 minutes but don't let that put you off
seeing Man And Superman at the National.
The show, by Bernard
Shaw and now on at the theatre's Lyttelton's stage is quite simply an
absolute cracker of a production.
A romantic and
provocative comedy, it features at its heart a fiery philosophical
debate in which fundamental questions are asked about how we live.
John Tanner - an
astonishing performance by Ralph Fiennes - is a celebrated radical
thinker, revolutionary and rich bachelor.
However, he has been
made guardian to the alluring heiress, Ann, played with delicious
feistiness by Indira Varma.
Ann is in love with
John but has to bat away the affections of poet Octavius Robinson
(Ferdinand Kingsley) who has fallen in love with her and wants John
to put in a good word for him.
John is scared stiff of
commitment and being married off and so Ann sets about her challenge
to tame him and coerce, bully and seduce him into marrying her.
Appalled at the
thought, and tipped off by his chauffeur, John flees to Spain, where
he is captured by a group of bandits led by Mendoza.
What follows next is an
extraordinary dream-debate, heaven versus hell, in which John becomes
Don Juan and Mendoza becomes the Devil and the philosophical debate
is played out.
Back out of the dream
John knows the game is up when he realises he's been followed by the
resourceful and forceful Ann who, refusing to be put off and not
giving up on her man, has followed in hot pursuit.
It is a masterclass by
Ralph Fiennes who puts in a most electrifying performance as John
complete with an air of the late Leonard Rossiter's Rigsby about him
in the way he shows John's nervousness and anxiety.
He is supported by a
stellar cast of which Tim McMullan's portrayals of Mendoza and the
Devil were utterly brilliant, incredibly funny and a real stand out.
Man And Superman is on
at the National Theatre until Sunday, May 17. Tickets from £15.
Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 020 7452
3000.
Man and Superman will
be broadcast live in cinemas as part of National Theatre Live on May
14 at 7pm.
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