Directed by Laura Hayton and Charis Jardim
Produced by Vita Fox
12th-14th November
3BUGS society took on a risk when they accepted Charis Jardim and Laura Hayton’s proposal to direct A Clockwork Orange, but rightfully so. The book, along with its play and film adaptations, is renowned for its dark characters and subject matters, which were all wonderfully brought to life by the carefully chosen cast, and edgy set design.
The “droogs” immediately created an atmosphere of unease as soon as you entered the room, with ‘Georgie’, played by the marvellous Becky Hansell, following me towards my seat, and the fellow members of the gang, played by Tom McCann and Josh Bluer, glaring out towards the audience. Being set in the Basement Rehearsal Room of the Guild, the small and underground space helped add to the tension, along with the lovely set design done by Maya Whatton, which included delicate fairy lights in empty milk bottles, and hanging milk bottles from the ceiling to contrast with the broken universe of the play and the fitting “OUT OF ORDER” sign on the vending machine.
Throughout the show the actors remained beautifully in character whilst the narrator explained the action taking place around them. Many of the performers portrayed multiple roles, and this was done with an impressive ease, as each and every one had clear distinction in their characterisation. It must be said that Sam Forbes performance as the narrator and protagonist, ‘Alex’, stood out as he did a fantastic job of guiding the audience on this story, whilst capturing the complex nature of the delinquent teen from a dystopian universe. The unusual language of the play created by the author Anthony Burgess was made to sound as normal as our everyday speech when fluidly and passionately recited by Forbes.
Overall, the humour of the play contrasted perfectly with the serious and darker content, and the whole cast and crew should be very proud of this guild production.
