Review: Carthage at the Finborough Theatre

Carthage

Finborough Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 30th January 2014

Tommy Anderson was born in a prison, and he died in one too. Whose fault was it?

Above is a question I am still trying to answer, as I am left reeling from the most riveting play of 2014 so far.

What makes Chris Thompson's play so brilliant is that throughout the majority of the piece  it is impossible to know who to side with. Performed out of sequence, Carthage takes you on the most epic journey, revealing what happened before, during and after Tommy's horrific life. The system was designed to protect children like Tommy, but perhaps in this case it does more harm than good. 

Whilst Carthage sits perfectly inside London's intimate Finborough Theatre, I can also see it working in a West End Theatre, as a blockbuster movie or as a TV drama starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman. This is simply due to the pure brilliance of Chris Thompson's writing. Thompson gives an understanding of the situation and characters without making you sit through a three hour play. The out of sequence scene structure isn't confusing as every moment is focused and driven. The ninety minutes flew by in a grippingly captivating blur, I was left utterly exhausted and couldn't believe it was only 9pm.

The cast are tremendous and make it even harder to know who to side with as they all perform with such sincerity. Jack McMullen (pictured right) is outstanding as Tommy Anderson, his attention to detail is sublime. The intensity in his eyes is utterly engrossing yet he also portrays Tommy's more playful and fun side so you really care for the character.

Claire-Louise Cordwell also gives a stand-out performance as Anne Anderson (Tommy's mum) who blames Marcus (the guard who was supposed to be looking after Tommy) for her son's death. Anne's development is huge as we first meet her as a pregnant, argumentative young woman in prison and last see her as a grieving mother. Despite the out of sequence scene structure, Cordwell  seamlessly switches between Anne's various extreme mental states of mind.

The performance of the night comes from Lisa Palfrey as the family's social worker Sue Ruskin who does her best for Tommy and Anne. Palfrey brings so much warmth, humour and humanity to proceedings; I never wanted her to leave the stage. Sue builds up a remarkable relationship with both Anne and Tommy, but could she be blamed for Tommy's death?

Carthage isn't all doom and gloom, Thompson's writing is naturally funny, although one minute you're laughing and the next you find yourself deep in thought. Carthage is the best play I have seen for a very long time and I was absolutely shocked to discover the piece marks Chris Thompson's professional debut; but with Thompson in place as the Channel 4 Playwright in Residence at the Finborough and under commission to the Bush Theatre the future looks very exciting...

A must see.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

andrew@westendframe.com

Carthage runs at the Finborough Theatre until Saturday 22nd February 2014.
Please visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit: Richard Davenport

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