Five Reasons to See… Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange
Steve Green, artistic director of Fourth Monkey Theatre Company, tells us five
reasons to see a new interpretation of Anthony Burgess’ A
Clockwork Orange, which runs at The Space on the Mile from 6
to 21 August at 19.20
1.
It breathes new life into a classic
Fourth Monkey create a fresh and original world for Anthony Burgess’ iconic tale,
where established gender roles are turned on their heads and a darkly comic
lawlessness abounds. The world in which this contemporary retelling of Clockwork
takes place bears no resemblance to any before it – you’ll find no bowler hats
here!
2.
It’s not afraid to make a statement
Fourth Monkey
have torn pages out of the rule book by casting Lee Strasberg graduate Amy
Brangwyn in the lead role of Alex. This choice makes bold reference to the
unreported prevalence of female gang culture in our modern society. Brangwyn’s
performance takes the audience through a diverse range of emotions, and
tensions are no doubt heightened by her apparent lack of sexual orientation. She
lives in a sexually and morally ambiguous world in which cannot fail to impact upon
an audience: Alex’s is definitely not a gentle journey of adolescent discovery.
3.
It’s a feast for the eyes
Audiences will
be treated to the exceptional and original steam punk inspired costumes of
designer Rachel Maclachlan – some costumes have been sewn by the hands of Tim
Burton’s Alice in Wonderland design team.
4.
The critics love it
During its
sell-out London preview run, critics acknowledged the uncompromising,
challenging and boldly expressive nature of the play, calling it “electric,
seat gripping, eye flinching”.
5.
Fourth Monkey doesn’t do black box
theatre
This is a fringe
production with beyond fringe values. No expense has been spared in the
creation of this truly original environment: the inventive and expansive design
encompasses lighting, set and costume and gives Burgess’ classic tale a new
lease of life.
