Vanity Fair by Moving Parts Theatre Company Review

Reviews

28 Jun

Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

Nestled brightly in the Georgian Hampstead Mansions lies John Keats’ House museum. As part of the Hampstead Summer festival, Moving Parts has created a stunning adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel Vanity Fair. Director Simona Hughes and producers Joanna Nevin and Martin South have created a phenomenal adaptation that will have you on the edge of your seat in wonder.

This novel, as a particularly hilarious Victorian Satire, treats the characters much like puppets fretting on the stage. Therefore, it is a very popular Victorian comedy to adapt to the stage and Moving Parts have certainly created a fiery, fresh adaptation. The staging is reminiscent of a Victorian circus, complete with stilt walking, a raised circular dais and fire-breathing to announce the show. Therefore, this set works exceptionally well to frame this outdoor-based show and bring it vividly to life.

The storyline of the two graduates of finishing school and their tales of misadventure and hardships in the world is very closely adapted from the original text and manages to keep most of the scenes and key information from the original story. Amelia Sedley (Anna Blackburn) is a soppish young lady deeply in love with her playboy husband (Jahrhys Greenmidge). Katrina Micheal’s plays the razor-witted Rebecca Sharp, who, aside from marriage to Rawley (Joanna Nevin) works hard to use her wits and skills to manipulate the men around her into supporting her life and making other drunk ton’ feel foolish and giggly in losing all their money to her. Blackburn and Michael have wonderful acting chemistry together and really pull the story into the brightest possible form in could take. Tom Beattie’s performance as William Dobbin was exceptional and a brilliant layering to the show. His contrast and brilliant chemistry with Jahrhys Greenidge was fantastic to see.

This is a thoroughly impressive adaptation, and I was in awe of the cast’s excellent heartfelt chemistry and teamwork throughout. The themes of the perils of society and its pressures on women, as well as the question of morality in a war, are showcased in a kind but razor sharp form. The splitting of the plot into two one hour acts works well to frame the story without being overwhelming and keeping the closely adapted story as tautly paced as possible. Therefore, this is a fantastic night out, although I would suggest bringing a coat or blanket to sit on because it is very cold when the sun starts to hide behind the trees.

This is an exceptional adaptation which is bursting full of heart and cheeky joie de vivre. If you enjoy imaginative theatre, passionate actors and a thoroughly enjoyable adaptation of Victorian satire, then this is the show for you.