Stage: A Clockwork Orange
The controversial story comes to The Old Market but will it follow the book or the Stanley Kubrick film?
Few works of art have courted as much controversy as A Clockwork Orange, and it must be classed as art. Anthony Burgess, returning from Malaysia, settled in Hove with a death sentence of an inoperable brain tumor hanging over him. It turned out to be a misdiagnosis, but it also spurred him on to start what was to be his most creative time.
The novella, a bleak look at gang warfare, sociopathy and a dystopian world has gone on to be regarded as one of the great literary works of the last 100 years. But it was the iconic Stanley Kubrick film that created the greatest stir with accusations that it glorified violence and spawned copycat crimes of violence and rape. So intense was the backlash that eventually Kubrick, who had already fallen out badly with the author, asked the film company to withdraw the film from circulation in the UK. This they did and it was only after 27 years and the death of Kubrick that it was available for screening again.
Burgess was divided in his opinion of the film, liking much of it, he also hated the fact that the film does not include the final redemption, caused in part by the fact that the US edition of the book also omitted the final chapter.
It’s now 50 years since the book was written and theatre Action To The Word are bringing their acclaimed stage adaptation back to Hove. Already seen in Edinburgh, their physical adaptation has garnered much praise and after returning to Edinburgh this year for a second season will be seen at The Old Market (TOM) in Hove, a most appropriate venue.
The big question will of course be whether the stage version is true to the book or to the film. A quick look at dirctor Alexandra Spencer-Jones’ blog reveals this: “Fans of the book are desperate to see the story played out truthfully. The Kubrick film denies us the controversial ending of both the play and the book – an ending whereby Alex just simply ‘grows up’ and describes all the chaos and anarchism we’ve experienced with him as part of the very natural process of adolescence.”
A Clockwork Orange, The Old Market, Thursday 20–Saturday 22 September 2012, 8pm plus 2pm matinee Friday. £10–£15, 01273 201801
STAGE: Blue/Orange
Theatre Royal Brighton Productions has now announced the casting for their second production after the huge success of Dandy Dick. The new quality drama, Blue/Orange, will star Robert Bathurst, most recognised for his roles in the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Downton Abbey, Cold Feet and Wild At Heart. His stage credits include Blithe Spirit, Present Laughter, Hedda Gabler and Alarms And Excursions.
Joining Robert is up-coming star Gerard McCarthy, star of the 12-part epic drama Titanic: Blood And Steel alongside Derek Jacobi. He is best known for his role in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. Completing the cast is Oliver Wilson whose theatre credits include The National Theatre’s Emperor And Galilean and All’s Well That Ends Well. His TV credits include Misfits, Hollyoaks and Casualty.
Blue/Orange tells the story of a young patient, Christopher (Oliver Wilson), who is convinced that a notorious military dictator is his father. Bruce (Gerard McCarthy), a junior psychiatric doctor wants to do further tests and plan longer care but Robert (Robert Bathurst), a senior consultant, wants to thrust him back into the community. A riveting, compelling and witty battle of freedom and ambition unfolds.
Blue/Orange, Thursday 13–Saturday 22 September, Theatre Royal Brighton, 08448 717 650, www.atgtickets.com/brighton
