The Revengers Tragedy is a bloody triumph

Oct 5 2009 by Andrew Coleman, Birmingham Mail

THEATRE REVIEW

The Revengers Tragedy

Lichfield Garrick Studio

THE opening night of an extensive Midlands tour, saw the Jadis Shadow Company deliver a compelling revival of this seminal Jacobean work.

Now attributed to Thomas Middleton, the dark themes of treachery, lust, betrayal and murder read like a Tarantino film script.

Director James Tudor seizes every opportunity to ensure that this play, first performed over 400 years ago, is accessible to a modern audience.

Ben Savage gives a towering performance as Vindice, who opens the production holding the skull of his lover, poisoned for rejecting the licentious old Duke’s advances.

Set in an Italian Court, Vindice plots the Duke’s grotesque murder.

But in a Court where adultery, rape and incest are the norm, his vengeance does not stop there. An orgy of ritualistic bloodletting follows.

An adapted text and 20th Century costumes are easy on the ear and eye respectively, although the rhythm and poetry of the original text inevitably suffers.

This blood-soaked production is a triumph and was warmly received by an appreciative, enthralled audience.

Verdict: HHHHI

GARY LONGDEN