This week's Philip Ridley fix was brought to us courtesy of actor Steve Furst. Yet another world premiere online monologue, and yet another absolute delight. This time though, was the first time I have actually laughed quite loudly at the screen. Ridley showing yet another side to his talents by writing an affectionate and humorous Mickey-take on the profession.
Here we see Furst as an actor, not the modern warts-n-all type, but the type that we tend to call 'act-ors' or even worse, 'luvvies', although that second nickname has been tended to be misappropiated by those wishing to add a certain 'campness' or 'feyness' to the meaning. Not here, it was old-school actor through and through. Wiebke Green once again directed the monologue with skill and great attention to detail and nuance, and Furst showed great presence (even behind a computer screen).
This was a 'performance' - or should I say, an actor apologising that he entered badly and then proceeding to spend the rest of his allotted time apologising for it with anecdote and expostulating. This was an act in itself, and (apologies for the misquote) even without the requisite lighting, props, costume, set and other paraphenalia with which an actor of his standing would normally be accustomed, he was still expected to perform.. indeed the show must go on. And it did (or didn't) with a bang (or a whimper of a technological hitch).
Touching and hilarious this was accurately, sympathetically and perfectly portrayed. Loved it!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 30/5/20
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