Reviews

The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?

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23 April 2010

The Traverse should be applauded for
breaking with their new writing policy to present this rarely performed
Edward Albee play. Albee is not a playwright who makes viewing
comfortable for an audience. The Goat is one of his most
thought-provoking, shocking works and is given a terrific production
here.

A prize-winning architect and his perfect American wife live in a
tastefully decorated house. Their young son Billy is gay, but
that does not seem an issue – at least on the surface – for his liberal
parents. What appears to be a satisfying and idyllic existence is
shattered by a devastating revelation from Martin, the father. He has
fallen in love but it is with who that moves this
play to a different level. The few words of confession ensures the play
becomes a Greek tragedy for all.

To reveal what turns the play on its
head would be to spoil for those (there will be some) who don’t know. The themes of this great drama both surprise and challenge the audience, in ways that they would not have imagined going in to the
theatre.

At its heart, there are two excellent performances from
Kyle McPhail as the son and Paul Birchard as best friend Ross, who
hears the confession and sparks off the tragedy that unfolds.
Completing the quartet, two superbly acted performances from John
Ramm and Sian Thomas. Entirely truthful, Ramm is completely
believable and very moving as Martin, who realises that he has
destroyed his life. As his wife Stevie, Thomas is terrific, veering
between calm reasoning and hysteria as she seeks to deal with her
husband’s infidelity.

Traverse artistic director, Dominic
Hill steers a fine course for the play and his actors. The play is a controversial one,
unsettling and all the better for it. Edward Albee asks much of his
audience and gives more in return. A great production of a fine play.

– Keith Paterson