In the same week that the National Theatre revives Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, chronicling wartime operations and romance in the South Sea islands, the Donmar Warehouse offers a completely different view of a British army entertainment corps working in Singapore and Malaya in 1948.
The two shows couldn't illustrate the differences between an American and British sensibility towards their subject more deftly than these do. While South Pacific employs sentiment and lush tunes to provide an uplifting experience of the heart, Privates on Parade uses ironic humour and a sparsely functional, mostly pastiche set of songs to provide a journey through a dark night of the soul. Both, however, are informed by their essential humanity: the conflicts against which their stories are set allow both Hammerstein and Privates playwright Peter Nichols to explore character as much as situation.
But Privates on Parade is also essentially different to South Pacific, too, in as much as its not quite a musical, nor yet just a play. The audacious Nichols threads Denis King's jaunty little melodies through his narrative to counterpoint the darker points he has to make. The tone is at once cynical yet heartfelt, rueful and rude.
In Michael Grandage's production, which expertly captures these shifting qualities, it is Roger Allam's larger-than-life yet absolutely truthful performance of Acting Captain Terri Dennis, the grande dame of the entertainment corps, that brings it to soaring life. Allam, the original Javert in Les Miserables and star of the London production of City of Angels but who has also had a substantial career in classical theatre, is one of our finest actors. He proves it yet again by anchoring the production in a compassionate yet unsentimental portrait of a man with greasepaint in his blood, lead in his gay pencil and the most tender of hearts.
No less brilliant is Malcolm Sinclair's Major Giles Flack, completely at sea in the leadership department but attempting to provide it to the wonderfully eclectic troupe that Nichols has created. Seen through the eyes of new arrival Private Steven Flowers (James McAvoy), whose virginity is eventually given up to Indira Varma's beautiful Sylvia, they make fine company.
The show, meanwhile, remains provocative viewing, and completes the rehabilitation of Peter Nichols's dramatic reputation, begun last year with the Donmar's revival of Passion Play and continued with the current West End staging of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.
The best bit was at the end when you could leave the theatre, followed a close second by the interval. I was bored throughout, a lot of the show repeated itself and you could see the "jokes" coming a long time before the punchlines. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.1.149.165)
08 Dec 02
It is impossible to imagine a better staging of Privates on Parade than Michael Grandage's current revival at the Donmar. Roger Allam and Malcolm Sinclair's Olivier nominations for their roles of Captain Terri Dennis and Major Flack, along with Scarlett Mackmin's nomination for choreography are richly deserved. However, at the interval, the main topic of conversation in the audience around me was James McAvoy, whose spirited portrayal of Private Steven Flowers is a revelation. His Fred Astair/Ginger Rogers pastiche with Indira Varma is an absolute joy. If you haven't seen this prodution yet, don't hesitate, get over to the Donmar - at the double. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
01 Feb 02
I went to the What's On Stage event last night for this production at the Donmar Warehouse and would just like to say thank you once again to Terri, Mark and the whole WOS team. It was a truly excellent event. The show was fantastic and the discussion with Roger Allam, Malcolm Sinclar and Michael grandage afterwards was fascinating. A real bonus given the extraordinary timing, what with Grandage being confirmed that afternoon to take over from Sam Mendes so we got to hear some insight into how he felt about it. All three men were utterly charming and Grandage was so impressive. I've always been a big fan of his having seen several of his productions, but now I'm an even bigger fan and I'm enormously excited for the future of the Donmar knowing this man will be steering it.
Afterwards, a very large group of us went for drinks and snacks whcih the WOS team had organised at a bar next door to the Donmar. It was wonderful and everyone was so friendly.
I've been to several What's On stage outings now and they just keep getting better and better, especially as I see more and more familiar faces from previous events. I can't wait for the next one.
Once again thanks very much to WOS and well done Donmar and Michael Grandage!
- USER: Whatsonstage.com
23 Jan 02
I loved this! Was slightly sceptical about the subject matter beforehand, but thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Both Roger Allam and Malcolm sinclair were terrific -their olivier nominations are well-deserved. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
23 Jan 02
Superb production of a very funny, touching but flawed play (weak plot, songs not strong apart from the Noel Coward pastiche). Excellent cast, James McAvoy, particularly. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
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