Reader Reviews
The Suit (Le Costume) (The Young Vic, Inner London)
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 | This interesting short play in a French adaptation and Directed by Peter Brook is certainly worth a visit to The Young Vic, it is a charming, funny and sad 75 minutes. The company of four looked extremely surprised when they received rapturous applause to their (non and akward) bows. I couldn’t help feeling however, that if this play were performed in English we would not have all left the theatre quite so pleased. But it wasn’t so I needn’t go there and I push all these thoughts to the recesses of my mind. The play is slight, but we have a lovely feel of a poor South African black township. And it was also refreshing to hear a story just about the people, rather than the history or struggle in SA (themselves fascinating subjects however). The story is that a man comes home to find his wife in a compromising situation with another man, he flees and leaves nothing but his suit. From that day forth the suit is treated as a guest in their household, being fed and watered etc. Of course there is a sad ending that makes you think about the nature of love, revenge and human relations. Philemon the husband, is played with surprising subtlety by Isaac Kounde and his wife Matilda is given a wonderful, simple and soulful portrayal by Sara Martins. The lover and various parts are played by Rachid Djaidani, a striking young man with a great air of joviality about him, but well able to execute a more tender glance. The star of the show is the elder man and family friend Maphikele, he introduces us to his town and sets the scene in a lovely piece of narrative. The part is taken by the extraordinarily thin and gangly Sotigui Kouyate, and although he made me laugh and I was charmed by him, I still felt that there was something slightly lacking in his performance. Most certainly and interesting and entertaining trip South of the River. Sean. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.35.62.168) | 01 Sep 03 |
| A mixed cast. Sotigui Kouyate, one of only four in the cast, had previously struck a false note when I saw him in La Tragédie d'Hamlet, and so he did again in this. He is larger than life, and that isn't necessarily a good thing in the kind of ensemble show Peter Brook favours. He unbalances the show by his affable, gangling presence, and in both performances I've seen from him he's given the unintentional impression of standing outside his role and finding it all rather amusing. But Isaac Koundé and Sara Martins made a magnetic couple and revealed the heart and soul of this exquisite little production. (I was thrilled to have my hand squeezed by Mlle Martins at one moment in the play!) One mystery: the four of them looked so fierce at the curtain call that I couldn't help wondering whether we'd upset them in some way... or whether they've fallen out amongst themselves and couldn't summon up the good grace to acknowledge the reception they were getting. A sour note on which to end an otherwise enchanting small-scale experience. Job - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.48.42.85) | 29 Aug 03 |
| I went to see this with very high expectations it being by Peter Brook and all, but was quite disappointed. This is because actors are at the heart of his theatre and most of them in this were not very good (the lead female is great the rest only so so). There is one simple yet magical bit in the middle which was wonderful the rest only average. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.35.62.168) | 27 Aug 03 |
