Review: AS SHE LIKES IT, Greenwich Theatre - Tour
Photo credit: Nicola Osrin
The assault on dancer Patricia Douglas had largely faded into history before a 2007 documentary brought her back to public notice. Now, Chloe Wade Productions have created a multimedia performance dedicated to her and to other women who suffered as she did, then and indeed now. Written by Chloe Wade and directed by Tilly Vosburgh, the piece features five actors playing stereotypes of the 1930s film industry, and mixes film sequences with live action.
As the Damsel in Distress, Krupa Pattani also serves as narrator for much of the time, which she does with clarity and verve. As the Girl Next Door pulled from the audience, Chloe Wade is appropriate to the stereotype in her initial appearances, but gains agency as her character’s confidence increases, until she stands up to the corrupt studio bosses and film stars in a subtle and truthful performance.
As the Leading Lady, Lucy Tuck inhabits the role fully, commanding the stage as necessary. Screwball Comedy Queen Stacey Evans has the challenging task of repeating a performance again and again and yet indicating the despair beneath the jollity, and does so extremely effectively. Tanika Yearwood portrays the Sex Symbol, always subject of course to the Hays Code on screen even when abused off set. Yearwood in particular, but also the rest of the cast, portray a wide range of other characters and do so deftly and with humour.
The production is fully staged with frequent costume changes and is complex technically, and there is something of a shift in tone between the first and second act. Before the interval, it is more of an overview of the issues of the period, interspersed with sections like the anatomy lecture that seems to belong to a different time and echoes many similar productions of the past – although perhaps the points still need to be made.
The involvement of a male volunteer from the audience who was then only asked to sweep the stage made a telling point, although the rather knowing audience at Greenwich Theatre were more than willing to meet the cast midway. It would be good to see As She Likes It with a more mixed audience, perhaps during the forthcoming tour, and when some viewers might not be as comfortable with the material.
After the interval, the focus shifts to the story of Patricia Douglas, which is told extremely clearly, making good use of costume, film and audio. This section of the production seems much more successful than the first half, which seemed a little over-long and might benefit from some cuts. It would also be good to see the excellent film inserts on a bigger screen, which would enhance the switch from lone onstage figure, for example, to screen close-up. With a touring production, this will depend upon the venue, but some may have the necessary resources.
Despite these minor reservations, this is an important, entertaining and thought-provoking evening, offering the opportunity to see five actors remind us of the failings of the past and then to confront us with the ongoing issues today.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Chris Abbott
As She Likes It tours until 15 March, with further information here.