Review: EVERYMAN, Brighton Fringe
Photo credit: Kirsten Prisk
Joining the fray of numerous new talent at Brighton’s Fringe Festival 2022, comes Cornwall’s own Miracle Theatre. Taking over the church on Gloucester Place, Miracle Theatre brings a uniquely innovative performance space - The Fleapit, a portable and transformable auditorium remnant of a circus big top.
The Fleapit is home to a selection of homegrown Cornish talent (all of which we will be reviewing this coming week so stay tuned!) The first production we are reviewing is Everyman. Modernising the adaption of The Summoning of Everyman by Carol Ann Duffy, the audience is invited to the circus that is the life of the Everyman. The innovation of The Fleapit peaks audience interest from the moment you enter, having to wade through rubbish before even making it to your seat. This interest does not waiver throughout the entirety of the one hour twenty minute performance. An interesting, emotional and raw portrayal of the plight of the everyman.
The performance takes us through the journey of one man forced to reflect on his life’s choices and direction whilst being marked for death and on a pilgrimage to meet with God. With such heavy subject matter, it would be very easy for the show to become preachy and apathetic yet under the incredible direction of Kyla Goodey, Everyman manages to be funny, moving, and self-reflective all in the same breath.
The incredibly talented four-strong cast of Laura Cairns, Giles King, Charlotte Merriam and Dean Rehman (with too many characters under their belts to be introduced in the program under anything other than simply ‘performer’) beautifully bring Duffy’s poetry to life and have their audience as captivated and emotionally invested in their stories as humanly possible.
With an extremely honourable mention of musician and tech manager Louis King’s efforts behind the scenes, the cast manages to really integrate the audience into the production without the bitter taste that cheesy audience participation usually creates and has the acting chops to hit every note whether they are making you laugh or hitting you straight in the feels with an emotional scene, a feat which Charlotte Merriam is the queen of.
The actors’ performances weren’t the only area in which the show excelled, with composer Dom Coyote’s musical score and Sarah Readman’s lighting and video design really emphasising the show and not allowing the audience to feel disengaged for one second. Coyote’s festival-themed sound really allows the intimate performance to feel much grander and Readman’s use of cleverly designed 3D projection really makes use of the unique performance space granted to the company.
Besties, we cannot get enough of this incredible production and will not stop raving about Miracle Theatre’s incredible talent with this multi-layered and multi-media emotional exploration into the life and death of the Everyman.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Natalie Pedro
Everyman plays at The Fleapit until 29 May, with tickets available here.