York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 27th April 2024
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
3***
Written by R.B. Sheridan and nearly 250 years after its first foray onto stage, The School for Scandal, is a comedy of manners. Tilted Wig, under the direction of Sean Aydon, has adapted this production for the 21st century and is currently playing in York as part of its UK tour.
It is fast paced from the start, with its intricate plot, a tale of gossip, scandal, and coercion. Revolving around Sir Peter Teazle (Joseph Marcell), with his much younger wife (Lydea Perkins) squandering his money and spending time in society. This is perfect fodder for Lady Sneerwell (Emily-Jane McNeill) and her band of gossips, who love nothing more than plotting and interfering with the lives of all around them. So starts a melee of rumours and misunderstandings.
With 8 actors playing the 15 quirky characters, all, bar Marcell, are double hatting, a perfect showcase for their skill and ability, talent in abundance. As well as quick changes of characters, the physicality shown is impressive, the aim of throwing and catching of items, whilst not even looking is testimony to this.
Shoutout to Garmon Rhys and Alex Phelps, as the two brothers, Charles and Joseph. Rhys is an energetic performer, providing much needed laughs with his physicality and facial expressions. He was very charismatic to watch. Phelp’s scene with the screen and chaise lounge was a show highlight. Tony Timberlake as the boy’s uncle Sir Oliver, shares some great comedic scenes with the duo. Perkins as Lady Teazle is a delight as the willful young wife, frivolous, though with a tender side, and comes to realise the grass is certainly not greener. McNeill is sharp as the huge gossip monger Lady Sneerwell, and shows relish playing such a withering sensationalist.
The costumes are full-on 1950’s glamour. The colours are so vibrant, oranges, teals, pinks and greens in abundance. This contrasts with the stripped back set and its muted colours, apart from the three brightly coloured telephones, on plinths at the back of the stage. I did find it hard to follow the show when the lighting was dimmed, with a red glow, it was just a bit too dark. It was lacking in laugh out moments, though I did have a few jumps and giggles along the way.
This is a wordy play, it is amazing that all the cast can remember all their lines so well, in their differing characters. Marcell especially has some complicated pieces, he delivers them brilliantly. Some of the vocabulary is blurred, posh voices almost shouting, the dialogue got lost in translation. Also, though the complexity of the relationships between the characters can be a bit confusing at times, there is so much going on, the cast work well together with the material they have.
It also goes to prove that nothing has changed over the years, with gossip and scandal even more prevalent today, especially with social media and the internet. The School For Scandal is a decent night out at the theatre, you get to see some fine actors honing their craft.