Dr Faustus

Synopsis

Faustus is the story of an old philosopher who sells his soul to the Devil in return for youth and love and a young Marguerite, seduced and abandoned. A story that is retold many times in other versions.

Our Review:

19 March 2002

In this first stage production from Natural Nylon (the company set up by Jude Law and several other A-list celebs), Hollywood meets 16th-century drama as Law himself essays the title role in Christopher Marlowe's version of the Faust legend. It's a bold move - Dr Faustus is not the easiest of plays and this is a credible attempt.

Director David Lan has opted for the shorter version of two texts (thereby avoiding a lot of tedious 'comedy') and for translating most of the Latin - wise choices, though, on the downside, he also permits some glaring gaps.

As for Law, I wanted him to succeed, I really did. Whatever else, he must be commended for attempting a difficult part and for bringing this play to a wider audience. And he nearly pulls it off, especially in the middle of the play, when his Faust revels in his power and knowledge. But his immersion into the part is too slow and conveys more peevishness when disgust and rage are called for.

Neither i...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 7 May 2002:

I see that the Whatsonstage reviewer has given this the same kind of review that other reviewers have, in that he/she has decided that Jude Law can't be any good cos he is a star. Well, i want you to know that to me Jude law is no one because I do not know his other work. i saw a guy having a good go at the part with occassionally his voice going flat which betrayed a lack of voice work of the level we expect from our best stage performers. however the production was one of the very best attempts at seeing this paly afress that i have seen - a modern relevant production, stressing the effect of the mind and qusaetioning the real meaning of hell. McCabe of course fantastic - he is really a cracker and all the reat of the supporting cast superb. What a bout a bit of an opne mind then from this site - don't do the usual old cliche reaction please. ...

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