Yvonne Arnaud Theatre until 20th October
Review by Heather Chalkley
4****
The original written by great Italian playwright Dario Fo, has been expertly adapted in to great British humour by Deborah McAndrew . Fo’s template can be used to reflect the political dialogue of any given time and place, always combining tragedy and farce carrying the message through the belly laughs. Northern Broadsides interpretation is no exception.
I loved the outspoken nature of the players and how they understood the workings of the play. The fast pace sometimes caught them off guard, with fumbled lines and costume malfunctions, which added to the humour! Unintentional hilarity was caused by a cupboard door that didn’t want to stay shut, when in fact the door had a prominent part!
Lisa Howard as Anthea, was a convincing council flat tenant and homemaker, desperately wanting to hold things together, weaving an ever growing web of fantastical tales to dodge her way through an increasingly critical situation. Suzanne Ahmet as Maggie, was a quirky, funny, younger and very gullible wife that went along with all the diversionary plans cooked up by her friend. The political idealist husband, Jack (Steve Huison), gave a clear dialogue to understand the social political environment in which the piece was set. He created belly laughs when his actions contradicted his outspoken views. Michael Hugo became the audiences hero, playing 5 parts and just about managing to avoid laughing out loud, despite a few undelivered lines!
Over time ‘The Jarrow Crusade’ has become a metaphor for governmental callousness and working-class fortitude. The reference to it at the end is a fitting tribute to Dario Fo and how he used his art to ensure the work of governments anywhere do not go unnoticed.