Vanity Fair at Brighton Open Air Theatre

William Thackeray originally published his classic novel Vanity Fair as a 20-volume monthly serial between 1847-1848 as a way to satirise social etiquette at the time, as well as deconstruct the way the literary hero/heroine was depicted. Since then, it has had critical acclaim and has inspired many versions for stage, film and television. The latest instalment from Moving Parts Theatre Company deconstructs this novel even further, placing it in a world of circus and fairground entertainment that would have been popular in the 1800s. It reflects the way that vanity itself can become pure entertainment to watch, even when life becomes hard. Following the lives of school friends Miss Rebecca Sharp and Miss Amelia Sedley, Vanity Fair explores how love and societal acceptance can change a person’s outlook, depending on the choices made.

One thing noted at the time of review was the way the cast handled being in the open air in terms of projection and diction. Previous outdoor shows I have reviewed up until this point have not had the best diction or projection. Moving Parts Theatre Company however have to be credited for the way they handled the tricky acoustics in Brighton Open Air Theatre, given the fact that the setting is like a Greek Amphitheatre with seating in the round. Even when they turned away from where they were originally facing, or going quiet, the cast were still extremely audible. The only thing I would say is that whilst the ensemble in itself was extremely well developed and choreographed, there were some sentences that were stumbled over and words repeated multiple times due to nerves at the time of reviewing. They need to trust themselves with the text and relax into the rhythm a little more in order to enable them to run more smoothly in places, but it didn’t distract from the fact that each actor was extremely strong in their character choices and was engaging from the beginning, which added to the charm of the play.

The characters were extremely distinctive, even when some doubled up. Such as Keith Hill’s Fairground Manager, transitioning seamlessly into people such as Matilda Crawley and Mr Sedley. Canadine’s comic timing as part of these characters was well executed and the way he handled each satiric theme with care and sensitivity without it going into pantomime territory, was extremely well controlled.

Joanna Nevin’s dashing interpretation of the hapless Rawdon Crawley likewise became a major highlight of Vanity Fair for the way she handled his charming, yet naïve nature. Nevin demonstrated a natural flair for creating a character who was in many ways idiotic and comedic, but had an air about him that oozed charm itself.

Other highlights included the beautiful repartee of Anna Blackburn’s Amelia Sedley and Katrina Michaels’ Rebecca Sharp. It was clear from watching them they were not afraid to play with the idea of societal acceptance, whilst striving to find love in all forms. Blackburn and Michaels had a natural, engaging relationship on stage and from the way they took the audience on their respective emotional journeys, it was clear to see how they were not afraid to explore the mindset of these characters. From Sedley’s obsession with finding true love, to Sharp’s shrewd, calculating approach to moving up the ranks in society itself, both ladies made bold choices acting wise to make these characters come to life.

Vanity Fair is comedic, charming and full of the fun of the fair. Catch them on tour before it finishes in Lewes in August.

Review by Sascha Cooper

The Company:
Joanna Nevin – Producer/Actor
Simona Hughes – Director
Martin South – Producer/Actor

Meet the Cast:
Anna Blackburn – Amelia Sedgely
Katrina Michaels – Rebecca Sharp
Jahrhys Greenidge – George Osbourne
Tom Beattie – William Dobbin
Joanna Nevin – Rawdon Crawley
Martin South – Lord Steyne
Andy Canadine – Fairground Manager/Matilda Crawley
Keith Hill – Sir Pitt Crawley
Anais Tran Ngoc – Violinist

Creatives:
Tamara Douglas-Morris – Composer/Musical Director
Anna Pearhouse – Costume Design
Nevana Stojlov – Movement Director
Freya Alexander and Lily Baik– Set Design
Florence Coleman – Assistant Producer/Assistant Director

Welcome to Vanity Fair – a giddy carousel of social climbers, buffoons and preening dandies.

In a world of gossip and speculation, all is to play for and the stakes are perilously high, for both romantic Amelia Sedley, consumed with her obsessive love, and Becky Sharp, an irrepressible schemer who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

Moving Parts Theatre Company take a fresh, inventive approach to the classics. With a dazzling score of original music, this new adaptation of Thackeray’s tale of greed, ambition, love and betrayal transports audiences from Regency salons and ballrooms to the battlefield of Waterloo!

Age 12+ Duration 2hr 20 See www.movingpartstheatre.com for further tour dates