PERFORMANCE REVIEW: Ajax

Ajax - The Madness Season
Riverside Studios

There's definitely something about the Greeks. While hordes of young writers are out there knocking up brand new, topical and contemporary plays - and with hundreds more sitting at home dreaming of writing these sorts of plays - directors continually turn to the works of Aeschylus, Euripides et al. And its little wonder when you hear the beautifully tragic power contained in each of these texts coupled with an era-spanning relevance that is, at times, frighteningly accurate. Here, Jack Shepherd takes the reins for the second production of the Madness season at Riverside Studios, this time setting the Love & Madness ensemble to work on Sophocles' Ajax.

Agamemnon, Odysseus and Ajax find themselves relocated to a First World War infirmary, accompanied by a Chorus comprising of doctors, nurses and patients who are soon to meet their maker. The action begins with a dishevelled looking Odysseus - Matthew Sim - lying on a hospital bed while Jody Watson's Athena, complete with 1900s nurse's uniform, tells of the madness suffered by Ajax, which has been brought about by the Gods. With the stage set, we are then treated to an hour and twenty minutes worth of blood, violence and fundamental questioning of the notion of the hero brought about by the suicide of the title character.

By placing the tragedy in the not too-distant past, Shepherd awakens the brutality of the text and not only highlights the ever-lasting nature of the Classics, but offers an alternate portrayal of the great Greek heroes. As soldiers are rushed into the ward, crying and searching for Ajax, the rush and panic of the action draws you in and makes you pay close attention to every word uttered - words that are uttered with such clarity that it feels as if the play was written a mere two weeks ago.

One drawback from last week's Macbeth was the early dismissal of Iarla McGowan who, as Banquo, found himself knocked off before the interval. Thanks to the beauty of the ensemble, we are here given a chance to soak up his obvious talent in his sublime portrayal of Ajax. Undulating between crazed psychotic rantings and soft, intimate disclosures with the utmost ease, it really is a joy to see him walk the stage. That is, of course, until he kills himself. Lucia McAnespie - Techmessa - provides another enjoyable performance while Dan Mullane makes Agamemnon truly terrifying as he confronts Teucer, Ajax's brother, with a swagger and vocal quality much reminiscent of Alan Sugar throwing his weight around the boardroom.

The minimal, bare bulbed set provides the perfect backdrop for this production allowing the performers a clear, uncluttered arena. Showing the depth of their company, Love & Madness here showcase how exciting an ensemble can be.

Ruby Green

Ajax runs in rep until July 25th