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By
Benjamin Eyre
This
weeks production of Six Degrees of Separation utilizes a considerable
American input to provide a play that is able to maintain an authentic
feel.
The
plot revolves around Paul, and the six degrees of separation between
him and New York art dealers, the Kittridges.
Paul
(Tope Folarin ) stumbles into the life of Flan and Ouisa Kittridge
( Tyler Caffell and Poppy Burton-Morgan) on the eve of the biggest
deal of their lives to date.
The
requisite compromised South African money, personified by Geoffrey
(Aaron Costa Ganis) is startled by the appearance of a young black
man, ostensibly the victim of a mugging, in their home but Paul's
connection to the Kittridge's children, combined with his fine cooking,
brilliant monologue on his stolen thesis, and his promise of a part
for all in his father's new film, Cats, wins over not only the desperate
New York couple but Geoffrey as well.
The
next morning Paul is found with a young man and the nature, as well
as the extent, of his lying gradually unfolds throughout the course
of the play.
His
reading of Salinger's Catcher in the Rye, so captivating to the
other characters, is equally important to the audience. Repeated
references to the power of imagination that he originally cites
are used although the more subtle, almost Lacanian, concern with
seeing and understanding yourself has the most enduring significance
in the play.
Another
key feature is a very intriguing self awareness that manifests itself
in a number of ways. From references to libel actions and rights
within the play to the fascinating use of an almost choreographed
striking game of word associations the Kittridges are enthralling
from the start.
Director
James Bounds is also able to use the multiple roles of certain actors
to add to this effect. In one instance the excellent Aaron Costaginis
leaves the Kittridges as wealthy South African Geoffrey and is found,
moments later, in the borrowed bed of the enigmatic Paul, as a rent
boy!
The
play is certainly a mix of the tragic, comic and farcical but such
a combination, and the resulting intensity, can dull these individual
elements of the plot.
*The
views expressed in these comments are those of the contributor's
and not the BBC.
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