The Devil is an Ass

Synopsis

Novice devil Pug has always fancied a trip to that legendary hub of mischief and mayhem - London town - today his wish is granted! Signing up as the new servant of eccentric Fitzdottrel seems like a good idea at the time, however what lays in store is altogether quite different. Can Pug set a devilish example and save his professional reputation, or is he just plain out of his depth?

Our Review:

19 November 2010

Jacobean dramatist Ben Jonson certainly threw down a gauntlet to anyone brave or reckless enough to take him on. It’s easy to see why The Devil Is An Ass (1616) is performed even less often than Volpone or The Alchemist, as the dense and difficult text presents enormous challenges for modern production.

Spartan Dogs, a new London company, have a bold stab at it, with their inaugural production at Kennington’s White Bear, and they come close to pulling it off.

Director Kate McGregor updates the action to 1829, which works well enough, giving it a vaguely circus setting (pre-echoes of Dickens’ Hard Times), while wisely not over-exploiting the theme. She shapes her large cast’s performances skilfully, keeping a tight grip until the later stages when things go a little awry.

The long scene in the second half, where the would-be seducer Wittipol (Sean Turner) dresses as a Spanish lady gives the ...

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Latest User Review

Simon Thomas - 29 November 2010:

As it's cropped up a couple of times, can I clear up one misconception. The Restoration didn't take place until 44 years after this play was written. It's a Jacobean play not a Restoration comedy. ...

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