Cheek By Jowl – Tis A Pity She’s A Whore

In shifting John Ford’s tale of declining morals by nigh on 400 years, it suffered no ill effects. In truth, it gave it far more poignancy. With a script simply dripping with lascivious behaviour and gore, one might not expect subtlety, but subtlety you get in this fine production. Not, I add, at the expense of visual impact and of course humour. Incest, however, does remain taboo and no matter how eloquent its representation the audience is uneasy – an unease that is doubled when the outcome of their lust (and love) is finally played out. Cheek By Jowl deliver a taught rendering of the play; their use of dance and physical movement, the creation of artistically-lit tableaux and the use of popular music help to ground the story in a familiar reality that makes it seem more relevant. Fine performances throughout confirm their skill at creating great ensemble work that balances intellect with entertainment.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 8 May 2014

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