Review: A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes at the Tricycle Theatre

A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes 
Tricycle Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 14th October 2015
★★★★

Hot on the heels of the success of The House That Will Not Stand, Marcus Gardley's play A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes has been staged at Kilburn's Tricycle Theatre. It's an interesting piece, performed with huge in-your-face satirical style. 

Adapted from Molière's Tartuffe, A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes explores themes surrounding loyalty, family, greed, faith, power and redemption. Wil Johnson plays dying multi-millionaire Archibald Organdy who (foolishly) puts his trust in woman-obsessed Archbishop Tardimus Toof (played by the brilliant Lucian Msamati). Organdy's family reunite around him, but tensions fly and details of the all-important Will do not please everyone...

Written in verse, Gardley's writing is highly effective and flows superbly. There are some golden lines, with the stand out scene taking place when Organdy's fiancée (Adjoa Andoh) meets Toof's estranged wife (Sharon D Clarke) and demands she stops her husband from destroying Organdy's life.

Fireworks fly, with both Andoh and Clarke proving themselves as forces to be reckoned with. Andoh reinvents the term feisty whilst Clarke's delivery is impeccable. Clarke also leads the musical interludes which open the show and separate scenes; it is an absolute joy to hear her bluesy vocals raising the roof of a theatre once again.

Indhu Rubasingham’s production never holds back and is incredibly funny, but there are also some poignant moments which take the audience by surprise. The entire company embrace the piece's larger than life style and excel at all times.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes runs at the Tricycle Theatre until 14th November 2015.
Please visit www.tricycle.co.uk for further information and tickets.

Read our previous interview with Sharon D Clarke

Photo Credit: Mark Douet  

Follow @West_End_Frame