Bakersfield Mist
Duchess Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 28th May 2014
It's so refreshing to see a new eighty-minute play about something other than love or self-discovery. Stephen Sachs' extraordinary piece delves into what makes art and people truly authentic. Instead of dragging the play out across two acts, the two hander runs for eighty minutes without an interval. Not a dull moment passes; breaking for an interval simply wouldn't work.
Kathleen Turner makes her return to the London stage as Maude, an ex-barwoman who has found herself in possession of a painting which she thinks is a Jackson Pollock – which means it would be worth millions. Turner stars opposite Ian McDiarmid who plays renowned art expert Lionel Percy. Lionel visits Maude to authenticate the painting, and from here on after the play spirals into brilliance.
Turner's stage presence is naturally commanding. Her comic timing is smart as she knows exactly when to hold back and when to give her all. Bakersfield Mist has some superb moments of comical brilliance and the audience responded with warmth, applauding throughout. It's not just a comedy though, as Bakersfield Mist takes several darker twists - Sachs' writing is clever as it's hard to predict exactly what's around the corner and ultimately we are able to make up our own minds.
I love McDiarmid's character, Lionel's straight talking provides some wonderful moments. However, at times his performance was too shallow for a play about authenticity. I didn't mind the constant sarcastic remarks, in fact I found them hilarious, but the scene which sees Lionel observing the painting for the first time went a little too far. McDiarmid’s ridiculously exaggerated leg crossing and chin stroking was just too much. That said, it's great to see such a contrasting pair take to the stage and bounce perfectly off each other’s unique energy.
It's an utter joy to see such a strong yet different piece of theatre; I just wish we saw more of these shorter, one act plays in the West End. Topped off with a terrific design, Polly Teale has directed a splendid production of a particularly interesting play. I highly recommend Bakersfield Mist.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Bakersfield Mist runs at the Duchess Theatre until Saturday 30th August 2014.
Please visit www.bakersfieldmist.com for further information and tickets.
Photo Credit: Simon Annand
I missed this one. A shame because I like Kathleen Turner. And yes, I think if they had more of these shorter plays, more people would come and watch theater.
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