The Ruffian on the Stair

2
Seen at The Hope Theatre.
By Derek - 1st Feb 2019

Photo: Anthony OrmeIn order to work for the audience, The Ruffian on the Stair needs to drip with malice and sexual suppression. Sadly, Paul Clayton’s version at the Hope Theatre does not do this. We are left with a revenge tale which, lacking variety of pace and excitement, trundles slowly to its underwhelming conclusion. There is sexual threat and suggestion under many of the scenes which this production fails to bring out. The relationships do not seem to have been thoroughly worked out, and a lack of physicality keeps the characters separate.

While Lucy Benjamin, as Joyce, shows the downtrodden woman effectively, she lacks the despair and ambiguous attraction her character can have towards the intruder.

Gary Webster shows us the strength and violence of Mike, but could give us more of the sexual pull towards Wilson – a moment where he strokes his shoulders is not enough to carry this idea.

Adam Buchanan gives us a Wilson lacking the drive and charisma required to power this play along. We see too much of the boy hairdresser and not enough of the avenger.

The set by Rachael Ryan adds little to the setting. Although it looks attractive, having a cutaway door and wall to allow us to see outside the room detracts from the action. There is a loss of tension and mystery if we can see Wilson standing outside the door. It is awkward for an actor to pretend to shout through a keyhole, when there is no door surrounding it. Having created an alley outside, it does not get used. Bringing that space into the main room would have given more room to work.

I trust that as the run continues, the actors can release the drama within this play by becoming more intimate with their characters and each other.

Derek Benfield


Latest News & Reviews

27th Mar 24 :: Review: Critics Circle Awards
The winners of this year's Critics' Circle Theatre Awards have been announced.
0
22nd Mar 24 :: Review: The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
5
12th Mar 24 :: Review: Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
3
7th Mar 24 :: Review: The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
5
6th Mar 24 :: Review: And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2
5th Mar 24 :: Review: Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
3
2nd Mar 24 :: Review: Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
2
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
3
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
26th Feb 24 :: Offies Winners 2024
WInners of the Offies 2024 awards have been announced.
15th Feb 24 :: Review: The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
12th Feb 24 :: Review: Whatsonstage Awards Winners
The winners of the Whatsonstage Awards announced.
0
6th Feb 24 :: Review: Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
Selected dates until 26 February at the Coach and Horses, 29 Greek Street, London W1D 5DH
4
5th Feb 24 :: Review: Macbeth
David Tennant and Cush Jumbo at the Donmar Warehouse
4
20th Jan 24 :: Review: Disney's Aladdin
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
19th Jan 24 :: Review: Alegria - Cirque du Soleil
The latest production seen at the Royal Albert Hall
3
20th Dec 23 :: Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Pantomime seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
18th Dec 23 :: Review: Sleeping Beauty
Panto at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing.
4
13th Dec 23 :: Review: A Christmas Carol
Guy Masterson's one-man production seen in Boscastle
5
7th Dec 23 :: Review: Oliver Twist
Seen at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol.
5

Most Popular Stories

Viewings over the last 10 days
 
Birmingham Royal Ballet - Black Sabbath
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 13th Oct 23 :: 144 views
And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 6th Mar 24 :: 105 views
The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 7th Mar 24 :: 98 views
The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
Posted 22nd Mar 24 :: 95 views
The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 15th Feb 24 :: 94 views
Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 92 views
Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
Posted 5th Mar 24 :: 90 views
Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
Posted 12th Mar 24 :: 81 views
Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 67 views
Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
Posted 2nd Mar 24 :: 61 views


Listings powered by Dynamic Listing Ltd
Mastodon X - Twitter Multidomain certificate installed
© Dynamic Listing Ltd, UK. 1995-2024