Date: 3 August 2005
Some shows write themselves instantly in the history books, and not always for good reasons. The latest entry into the field of the cataclysmic is Behind the Iron Mask - you might well wish that you were wearing a blindfold if not a full mask (not to mention earplugs) while watching the catastrophe unfold.
The musical hall of shame - stretching from fiascos like Carrie (adapted from the Stephen King novel about a menstruating teenager into a notorious RSC flop-eretta) to The Fields of Ambrosia (where "everyone knows ya"), Out of the Blue (set in the aftermath of the Nagasaki-H bomb and redubbed 'A Flash in Japan' after its short-lived 16-day run) and last year’s Oscar Wilde (opened and closed on the same night) - now has serious competition in the notoriety stakes. With Behind the Iron Mask, the theatrical equivalent of rubber-neckers (people who gawp at car crashes) can be treated to a musical that isn't so much wrecked and bleeding as simply stillborn. It seldom rouses itself into anything resembling life.
At the start, we meet a 17th-century French prisoner (masked throughout, for reasons never explained), who immediately sings "Why am I here?/I can't move/There's no escape/I'm here forever." The dread fear filled my heart that I would soon enough know exactly how he feels. This is a musical about imprisonment that duly (and dully) imprisons its audience for two hours (though at least some had the opportunity to flee in the interval, and many did).
This is one of those phantom exercises in attempting to create a new musical clearly inspired by The Phantom of the Opera, but it should never have left the drawing board. It exchanges one man in a mask for another, with a parallel story of a gypsy woman drawn unwittingly into his lair and into his heart.
None of this, however, is properly motivated; it just happens. Ditto the strange marshalling of proceedings that a jailer has to fulfil. It's all set to a gloppy, synthetic (and heavily synthesised) score, with music and lyrics by John Robinson (except for two songs that are set to words by Lords Tennyson and Byron).
Tony Craven's grim-looking production - on Nicolai Hart Hansen's unbelievably cheap-looking set - fails to harness much energy, though all three actors are to be commended for their apparent sincerity in the face of such adversity. In particular, Robert Fardell's prisoner - his face hidden by the iron mask that makes him look like a cross between a grey Halloween pumpkin, Shrek and Hannibal Lecter - manages to dredge up some strong vocal tones from the depths of the contraption he’s buried within. Mark McKerracher's jailer also desperately tries to rise above the drek, while Sheila Ferguson's Gypsy, sounding like a vamped-up Shirley Bassey at times, acts hopelessly but at 57 still looks ravishing.
- Mark Shenton
| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I am giving this show 3 stars only because of Sheila Ferguson. Yes, I am an ardent fan and while 'Behind The Iron Mask' was dreadfully written, directed and staged, I found that the only redeeming factor was Miss Ferguson's preformance.
I have read all the scathing comments and reviews about this Diva and found them to be extemely cruel?
This lady dares to try challenging things instead of always playing it safe. She knows she can sing and has a great sense of comedic timing!
Would other Diva's, the likes of Whitney Houston (who's acting was extremely mediocre in The Bodyguard. But as she was playing oposite Kevin Costner, she was totally and uttterly protected. How many Diva's dare to put themselves on the line to attempt anything new? Not many!!! No...., not any!!!
I can also see Sheila Ferguson's acting growing by leaps and bounds as she seems to be finding depth within her parts. So, forget about the Party Line and give this very eclectic woman a chance people. She's a fabulous entertainer and we are always so quick to be judgemental, without considering the bravery it takes to break out of a mold to do anything new! Al. - 82.71.40.61) | 19 Nov 05 |
| I had never seen a production with no redeeming features whatsoever...until now. - 195.82.123.181) | 09 Aug 05 |
| The worst show in London. "Behind the Iron Mask" sets a benchmark for measuring the theatrical experiences of a lifetime. This is the absolute zero of shows. - 142.35.4.130) | 08 Aug 05 |
| Oh dear... Oh dear... Oh dear... Seeing renaissance France translated onto the stage with an old table and a brocade bedspread with the merest hint of a story or acting capability... I thought French-based musicals didn't get much worse that Napoleon, Notre-Dame, La Cava and Lautrec... Sadly I was so so wrong... - 217.11.141.92) | 06 Aug 05 |
| I cannot imagine what taglines the producers of this lamentable production are going to be able to derive from the reviews to encourage hapless theatrical punters into this woeful dirge of an evening. It was with toe-curling embarassment that I sat through the non-existent plot, aimless 'songs' and lyrics of the calibre 'Who's behind the iron mask? Don't ask!'. Risible beyond belief. - 217.11.141.92) | 05 Aug 05 |
| Very funny that they have developed one of the scenes from The Producers into a full blown musical. Max Bialystock will be proud. - 194.216.254.81) | 04 Aug 05 |
| Dreadful. The whole show is an embarrasment. In particular Sheila Ferguson who strangeley, seems convinced she is an actress and decent singer. Who gave her that impression? - 195.93.21.101) | 04 Aug 05 |
| seen the show twice...1st time in previews...obviously no
t ready for viewing public...second time...new arrangements,more passion, audience seemed to generally like it...go with an open mind...but don't pay full price! - 80.47.117.118) | 03 Aug 05 |
| Here it is, the worst musical ever. The worst professional production of a musical ever.This, from someone who was at the opening night of CARRIE. His mask looks like ten pounds of mud has been dropped on his head. - 67.100.168.210) | 03 Aug 05 |
| Wow, the best show i have ever seen. so imaginative, the acting was brilliant and what a score and lyrics. i was in absolute heaven. can't wait to see it again. - 213.232.92.151) | 03 Aug 05 |
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