"Son of Man" - by Dennis Potter : Directed by Sean Mayo
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Dennis Potter's
controversial retelling of the story of Christ goes beyond the
traditional story. There are no miracles, no resurrection, no Last
Supper, and no thirty pieces of silver. Instead, it looks at Jesus
the man, in a turbulent, fascinating dramatisation, focusing on the
psychological underpinnings of the characters.
It opens with a powerful juxtaposition: Jesus in the wilderness shivering in an agony of self-doubt, while religious agitators in the city are murdered by the Romans during a mass gathering. Jesus is portrayed as a hearty, fiery, well-meaning carpenter who believes that people should try to love their enemies rather than fight all the time, but who is often racked by self-doubt as to whether or not he is the popularly anticipated Messiah. |
"Son of Man" generated a huge buzz in the Playhouse throughout its run. Opinion was greatly divided on several issues; some people loved the play, others were less enthusiastic, some people came away convinced that Potter's Jesus was definitely the Messiah, whilst others felt he was a madman, but most agreed that it was a very moving and well done production. A great launch production for the new Deep End Theatre Company. Congratulations to director Sean Mayo and his cast and crew.
Reviews
The reviews were largely positive starting with Emma Race in the Gloucestershire Echo.
Play introduces God as a man
The newly-formed Deep End Theatre Company's first production, Dennis Potter's thought-provoking Son of Man, sees them tackling the big issues.
Coleford-born Potter wrote this play to explore how Jesus might have grappled with being assigned the role of saviour of the world.
It's a fascinating piece where the audience are encouraged to see Jesus alternately as a man tormented by mental illness, a brilliant speaker, a radical and at times the son of God.
Directed by Sean Mayo, this well-cast, well-researched piece of theatre packs a real punch.
Son of Man opens in the wilderness as the carpenter's son questions if he is the Messiah. Jesus is played by Daniel Bowskill, a strong actor who tackled his role confidently while conveying his character's uncertainty.
The disciples, who were given Forest of Dean accents in homage to Potter's heritage, were also impressive.
Ron Carroll embodied Peter's no nonsense attitude whilst Phil Ward as Andrew, Mike Welsh as James and Tony Maisey as John were devoted.
Interestingly in Potter's work Pontius Pilate, played brilliantly by David Holtham, is the real villan of the piece while Judas, represented well by Geoffrey Jackson, is simply a misguided devotee, crushed into betrayal by the machinations of men far craftier than he is.
The play is full of moments that give pause for thought, from Jesus' sermon when he first talks of loving your enemies and, flanked by his disciples, walks out into the audience, to the scenes where he anticipates his death.
The execution scenes are uncomfortable to watch as Jesus, his back lashed, is nailed to the cross and his crown of thorns drips blood.
There is no curtain call, instead the audience are ushered out as this grisly tableau remains on stage.
This is an odd end, but ensures the image of suffering remains in theatre-goers' minds.
Like Mel Gibson's The Passion, Potter's focus on Jesus' physical pain leaves unanswered the question of why this 2,000 year-old tale is still told today.
Emma Race - Gloucestershire Echo
followed by Simon Lewis for BBC Radio Gloucestershire
A Glorious Resurrection
Born from the ashes of The Hatherley Players and The Boardwalkers, the Deep End Theatre Company made an almost symbolic choice with which to announce its second coming, and provided one of the finest evening's entertainment I have witnessed at the Playhouse in years. Dennis Potters engrossing, if controversial, take on the human side to Jesus Christ's earthly existence received a breathtakingly slick workout, culminating in one of the most sombre and jawdropping endings to a play I have ever witnessed.
An exceptionally gifted cast is spearheaded by the supremely capable Daniel Bowskill as the troubled Messiah struggling to find his true, purpose. Bowskill's towering performance demonstrates what an accomplished actor he is, indeed our Lord might well consider him as an understudy at the Final Judgment. His delivery of the celebrated Sermon on the Mount was so convincingly fluent, it was hard to believe he was working from a script. Meanwhile, David Holtham perfectly captured the psyche of a cynical Pontius Pilate, commanding full attention with his no-nonsense portrayal, and embodying all the Roman contempt for yet another upstart daring to rally the occupied people of Judea. The final scene proved beyond any doubt that the image of the crucified Christ, up close and intimate, has lost none of its power to move. Harrowingly portrayed, with hammers and nails echoing loudly, blood oozing down Jesus' battered body, and brilliantly lit by Martin Oakes' remarkably effective lighting, I gazed upon an image which will linger in the memory long after the audience has left.
Thought-provoking and profoundly unsettling, this was a visually stunning production imbued with considerable dignity and gravitas, and equally blessed with some judicious selections from Karl Jenkins' mass for peace, The Armed Man.
Befitting a theatrical renaissance comparable to the raising of Lazarus, this Son shone radiantly;
HOSANNA!
Simon Lewis - BBC Radio Gloucestershire Theatre & Arts
In Friday's Echo there was even an appreciative letter:
Play moved me to tears
Madam - I visited Cheltenham from Dorset and by chance happened to catch Son of Man, a play by Dennis Potter and directed by Sean Mayo, at The Playhouse.
What a fantastic production this was and so incredibly moving that I was actually in tears at the end, as were several other members of the audience.
The entire cast was outstanding and if this is the standard of productions that are shown at The Playhouse, I will certainly be making the effort to visit again.
I would urge Cheltenham residents to make the effort to see the productions at this theatre.
Debbie Atkinson, Bournemouth
GDA Awards
"Son of Man" won two GDA awards after being nominated in an exceptional ten categories! The full details can be found here.
