A Mad World My Masters

It is fairly easy to see where the motivation behind this production comes from, and why not. Taking a proven format should surely give you a fair crack at creating a hit. In many ways this reworking of Tomas Middleton’s 1604 comedy has all the right elements. There are plenty of laughs, an excellent set and costumes and above all a stunning cast who give their all. So why did I leave feeling less than satisfied? I suspect that after the first 30 minutes of lewd double entendre and out and out filth I tired of it. The 1956 setting, inclusion of period songs and occasional slip into modern day language coupled with a complex plot populated by a huge number of characters, who were mainly given names referring to genitalia was, I am sad to say, an overload. Full marks though to Dennis Herdman as Penitent Brothel, a masterfully physical performance that really did make me laugh out loud.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 11 March 2015

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