Behind the Iron Mask

Synopsis

In 1669 in bizarre and mysterious circumstances, an unknown man was secretly masked and imprisoned for life by Louis XIV of France. He died in 1703, having been in four different jails, but in the custody of Monsieur St Mars the same jailer. The Prisoner was allowed the best of everything and given anything he desired other than human companionship; but he was not allowed to discuss his identity or the reason for his imprisonment. St Mars was sworn to secrecy in fear of death. Due to the indiscretion of the Jailer, a Gypsy becomes entrapped in the relationship between the two men.

Our Review:

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 s...

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Latest User Review

82.71.40.61) - 19 November 2005:

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. ...

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