Storm in a Teacup (Park Theatre)
When the three Prozorova sisters, Olga, Masha and Irina, first arrive on set, they are full of youthful zest and playfully crash into their new abode breathing life into the faded surroundings. In the superbly executed sequence that follows, the sisters transform from youths to crooked old ladies as a giant egg timer counts the passing years. However, it quickly becomes clear they have lost none of their playfulness.
Inspired by Chekhov’s Three Sisters, Storm in a Teacup, by new ensemble Hot Coals, is a physical comedy with next to no dialogue exchanged between the three main characters. The shabby-not-so-chic set, with its stained wallpaper, faded rug and kitsch ornaments, captures the tone of decay and growing old disgracefully, while the traditional Russian music is played regularly to remind the crowd of the Moscow backdrop.
Focusing on the sister’s struggle to stay in their condemned home, the director doesn’t miss a comic trick. With superbly executed slapstick and farce, the team keep you entertained throughout – a feat in itself during a 50-minute set with little dialogue.
Yet while one can empathise with the sisters' fight to keep their independence, the mockery throughout stops you from being moved by it. Despite this lack of emotional weight, the performances are impressive. On opening night the actresses were tested early on as the theatre was evacuated only five minutes into the show. However, they showed their true professionalism by calmly vacating the stage and beginning afresh, with a slight nod to the crowd, when the threat was over.
The physical presence of the three actresses, Margot Courtemanche (Olga), Jo Sargeant (Irina) and Claire-Louise English (Masha), is fantastic, with each giving their character different ways of moving and communicating to portray their elderly state.
With many wholehearted laughs and much admiration for the riotous capers, this is a solid first outing for Hot Coals. Forgive me Chekhov fans, but it would be interesting to see them take on a more weighty subject in their next outing.
