Review: The Pride at Trafalgar Studios

The Pride

Trafalgar Studios

Reviewed on Wednesday 14th August 2013

Jamie Lloyd's production of The Pride is the definition of thought provoking theatre. Regardless of your age, gender or sexuality, at least one issue raised in this piece of theatre will shock and/or educate you. Alexi Kaye Campbell's play, which premiered at The Royal Court in 2008, follows the complex love triangle between Philip, Oliver and Sylvia. The scenes constantly switch between 1958 and the present day, allowing changing attitudes towards homosexuality to be explored.

The Pride follows Jamie Lloyd's productions of The Hothouse and Macbeth in the director's Trafalgar Transformed season at Trafalgar Studios. Despite choosing three contrasting plays, Jamie never fails to put his unique stamp on a production. His productions always have a clear vision and have an important point to make. They are also slick and smooth, featuring superb sound designs which allow scenes to completely change within seconds, Jamie's production of The Pride is no exception. 

Once again Jamie has assembled a group of actors who give world class performances. Hayley Atwell is sensational as Sylvia. The role is demanding, due to the choppiness of the scene structure Hayley is often required to adapt her character's emotional state of mind within seconds. She copes with this well and makes her performance seem effortless.

The most compelling performance comes from Al Weaver. I am struggling to put together a sentence which can accurately describe his portrayal of Oliver who is a lost soul. While the play follows Oliver and Philip's relationship, I found the relationship between Al and Sylvia far more interesting to watch. Hayley and Al's on-stage chemistry is perfect and at times very humorous. Harry Hadden-Paton is very good as Philip while Gavin and Stacey star, Mathew Horne, shows versatility by playing three rather minor roles. 

The simplicity of Soutra Gilmour's design is hauntingly brilliant, especially during the second act where the stage is practically bare throughout. As Act One reached its shocking conclusion I was a little unsure as to where the play would go next but as Act Two progresses it eventually reaches a suitable conclusion. 

The Pride has some very dark moments which verge on deeply disturbing. Many scenes are both physically and verbally graphic. I found the whole experience very exhausting and was left in need of a long lie down to recover. The Pride should not be confused with a fun-filled, fluffy evening at the theatre. The Pride has a strong point to make and will leave you with plenty to think about.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

andrew@westendframe.com

The Pride runs at Trafalgar Studios until 9th November 2013.

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Photo Credit: Marc Brenner

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