Leeds Playhouse – until 27 May 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
4****
Of Mice and Men, produced by the Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Fiery Angels is visiting the Playhouse. Based on John Steinbeck’s novel and directed by Iqbal Khan, Of Mice and Men is about two migrants’ dream for a better life and a better belonging with security and identity. Atypical with many who pursue and proceed with similar dreams past, present and future.
This is the story of George (Tom McCall) and Lennie (William Young), two ranch workers, who move from place to place in California to try and find scarce work opportunities during the time of The Great Depression.
The harsh reality of that time enabled the pair to dream dreams for better things to come taking on work at Curley’s farm serves as a motivating factor. Encouragement is sought to motivate this further from Candy (Lee Ravitz), but this comes with its challenges including prejudice, racism and exclusion which makes the challenges of economic migration fiercer. It makes one question and challenge the premise of the American dream or similar ones in other countries.
This is so parallel today where many face displacing and marginalising situations to what George and Lennie and their fellow migrants faced in the story. Lennie has learning disabilities and George’s loneliness and sense of duty to Lennie are collectively solidified as the plot unravels. Loneliness, ignorance, and dreams are certainly factors among the ranch workers, Curley (Riad Richie) and his wife (Maddy Hill) whose loneliness becomes significant. A combination of circumstances, misunderstandings and varying personalities lead to tragic circumstances which left George and Lennie in a no-win situation.
A moving and thought-provoking ambient production with excelled performances from all members of the cast which is set to Ciarán Bagnall’s innovative and intimate staging and lighting. The themes do challenge, but they are ever so relevant today and a lot of thought and planning has been put into this emotive and provocative production.
Of Mice and Men may have been written more than 80 years ago but it testifies the same relevance and concern today as to the time of The Great Depression. A production to be considered!
The production is on at the Playhouse until the 27th May 2023.