vortex

Noel Coward was 25 when he wrote "The Vortex" in 1924. In those days, the themes were sufficient to almost get the play closed down - with original reviews referring to 'this dustbin of a play'. There's sex and drugs but rock n' roll hadn't been invented so instead its piano and operetta.

The production at Manchester's Royal Exchange used a modest adaptation of the original script, and it is quite interesting to see how understated a lot of the themes of the play are in the production and one realises how much the 'shockability' of modern audiences have moved along.

We have the drug addled Nicky (played by Will Young) returning home from a year in Paris. He is clearly a mixed up and with what appears to be a sexual jealousy for the antics of his mother, Florence (played strongly by Diana Hardcastle). She is in an affair with someone Nicky's own age, behind the back of his starchy father. Florence's two friends at the start of the play act as a goading devil and no-nonsense conscience to Florence's infatuation.

Florence's lover, the guardsman Tom (played by Sam Heughan) is an aloof individual who portrays hardly a care for Florence, who is still blinded by the sexual advances. Will Young's character of Nicky (originally portrayed by Noel Coward himself) appears fragile in some scenes and later becomes downright jittery, presumably a reaction to the drug taking. Young's portrayal of Nicky incorporates an ambiguous sexual unhappiness which may be a cause of his addiction. He has brought a "trial fiancée" back from Paris, Bunty, although this courtship scarcely lasts beyond the introductions as she finds a greater affinity for Tom.

There's another nascent love interest for his mother Florence too; her female friend and apparent conscience Helen (played by Alexandra Mathie) seems to have a somewhat more than friendly longing to spend time with Florence, although that is also fairly understated in the way that the production operates.

The crescendo of the piece takes place in a whirl of emotions between Florence and Nicky when they both make a pact to abstain from the things which have been pulling them into the vortex. We are left to speculate whether the emotionally unsatisfied mother can abstain from the charms of a supply of twenty-something lovers and whether the fractured Nicky can resist the chemical lure of cocaine.

Well staged using a circular black and white set, good pacing and strong performances from the repertory cast. There was no embarrassment that Will Young was moving from his grounding in music to this theatrical piece and he stood up well as a full member of the cast delivering a strong performance. Kudos also to Bunty's stand-in, who did much more of an acted part than a reading.

Altogether, an enjoyable evening, watching a strong and interesting play in great surroundings.

tags technorati : rashbre Will Young Vortex Diana Hardcastle Manchester music theatre