New Vic Theatre – The Company of Wolves – Angela Carter

New Vic Theatre – The Company of Wolves – Angela Carter

Co-directed by Theresa Heskins and Vicki Dela Amedume MBE    

Review by Jane Lythgoe – Hitmix Radio

Beautiful Photographs courtesy of Andrew Billington

Even before the play started, the atmosphere in the New Vic was intense – dim lighting, haunting sounds and a stark, bare stage with just Chinese poles in place.

I was really looking forward to this, having chatted to Dan Parr and Tanya-Loretta Dee about the production, who both spoke so proudly and passionately about the play and the hard work that had gone in to it. They were both very impressive in the production.

This adaption of Angela Carter’s play did not disappoint – a performance unlike any other, based on the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but also so far away from the children’s fairy tale, even though all of the usual characters were included.

The overall feel of the play was multi-faceted – dark, eerie, fascinating, disturbing, seductive all at the same time, and the lighting, the music and the sound effects that created this atmosphere completely engulfed the audience – on quite a few occasions I realised that I was not actually breathing!

The portrayal of the Wolves was so imaginative and creative – it was mind blowing.  Not a furry face in sight just incredibly talented aerial artists dressed in grey, climbing the Chinese poles and falling down them at the speed of light just stopping before hitting the floor. And then using the poles at a lower level to signify running through the forest.  The  silks used in conjunction with the poles was incredibly beautiful, taking the poles to a new level.

The use of foley was exquisite – usually something which takes place behind the scenes, not to be viewed by the audience, but here it was brought to the fore with the actors standing behind illuminated stations, clearly seen to be speaking into microphones, delivering some of the words meant for the character on stage. And the music composition and the sound effects were magical.

The cast – fabulous – some familiar faces like Danielle Bird, Tanya-Loretta Dee who are both well loved by New Vic audiences, and both were very powerful in this production. Also, many new faces to The New Vic. The whole creative team, production management and performance staff worked so well with the on-stage team to produce something that can only be described as truly outstanding and completely magical.

I can’t say enough great things about ‘The Company of Wolves’ at the New Vic Theatre.  It is so different and unusual with the controlled, sensuous athleticism on the poles, including Danille Bird’s amazing high-level performance, the clever use of Foley, the stage set which was simple but with lighting creating different colours and mood throughout, the mysterious, sensual sounds, the dark atmosphere …. And it all came together so exquisitely.

This is another Five Star production from The New Vic – you can see this captivating production until 12^th October.  Like most plays at the New Vic, this one is not to be missed!

Here is Janes Interview with Tanya-Loretta Dee and Dan Parr last week