Review by: Paul Towers, 17 February 2017
The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute
A Good Vibe Theatre Company production
Upstairs @ The Western, 17th February 2017
“savage indictment of art for art’s sake.”
Upstairs at The Western kicked off its offerings of drama
this season under the new management with Neil LaBute’s savage indictment of art
for art’s sake, here ably staged by this new Derby based A Good Vibe Theatre
Company. This production has been entered in the National Student Drama
Festival in April as part of Hull’s City of Culture events.
On a bare stage set only with five examples of art from the
last 150 years nerdy, socially awkward Adam plucks up the courage to ask gregarious
Evelyn on a date fully expecting her to turn him down. He can’t believe his
luck when this vibrant, sophisticated, beautiful woman says yes. This sets in
motion a series of events that will reveal temptress Evelyn to be the arch
manipulative she-devil every man fears.
Adam is played by Jordan May as a plumpish, boring outsider
who struggles to get a girlfriend while Chelsea Forde as the controlling Evelyn
is a bright, sparky and soul-less devil-incarnate.
Alongside these eminently capable actors are Sarah Hartshorn
as Jenny and Dalu Moyo as Philip, her boyfriend. This couple, Adams long time friends,
are drawn inexorably into Evelyn’s web of deceit and treachery as she divides
the friendship group to rule Adam
It is no coincidence that Adam and Evelyn are so named as
LaBute draws on the temptation of Adam by Eve to illustrate his downfall as he
is metaphorically lead around by his manhood and moulded into what Evelyn
thinks society deems to be near perfect.
LaBute has created an intense and disturbing study in the
misuse of power within a relationship
The cast dealt very well with a couple of scenery malfunctions
and were not put off their stride. Cleverly choreographed scene changes made
the most of Upstairs’ intimate stage and good lighting was use to good effect.
Should you get a chance to see this production grab a
ticket. You will be entertained and disturbed in equal measure
Thank you very much for the review, Paul, and thank you for coming along to see our show! Andrei Marin-Balulescu, Good Vibe Theatre Company
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