|
 |
ChinchillaIndependent Theatre Director: Rob Croser Odeon Theatre, Norwood until Sat 20 Nov As always with Rob Croser's productions, David MacDonald's 'Chinchilla' is thinking man's theatre. Focussing on the larger than life figure of the Russian ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev (referred to as Chinchilla), MacDonald's play presents a witty expose of back stage intrigues and personalities with references to some of the greatest artistic minds and collaborations of the twentieth century. Not only do we meet the great dancers and choreographers Nijinsky, Massine and Karsavina, but references to, and music and art by the greatest of Diaghilev's collaborators including Debussy, Stravinsky, Markevitch, Matisse and Picasso. Set in Venice, and with strong suggestions of Thomas Mann's Aschenbach, the larger than life character of Chinchilla dwarves all of the other protagonists in the play. David Roach presents him as a Wildean aesthete who, like the Irishman can be seen as putting 'his genius into his life rather than his art'. But without Diaghilev, these now legendary productions would have not have existed. Such is the extent of Roach's involvement with the role that the work appears at times, little more than a philosophical monologue rather than an ensemble piece. That being said however, performances by Pam O'Grady as his muse Mimi, and the 'over the top' prima ballerina Tamara, delectably played for all it's worth by Jennifer Innes, warrant great praise indeed. Allusions to Thomas Mann's Aschenbach ('Death In Venice') are also to the fore and Croser's designs prove to be a treasure trove for fans of, not only of the Ballets Russes, but the greatest of Modernist minds. Not the easiest night in the theatre, 'Chinchilla' however provides an aesthetic feast for lovers of high art and wit.  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine
