Preview-Of Mice and Men-Performance Exchange
23-9-14
By: Meaghan McGurgan
Performance Exchange is a London based touring company formed in 1980 as part of the first London International Festival of Theatre. The company is a pool of actors, directors, writers, designers and technicians from which productions are planned and mounted. Since 1981 the company has performed more than 100 productions ranging from the classics to modern masterpieces plus new writing too.
You may have seen one or more of their many touring productions which have played in Hong Kong (usually at the Fringe Club) over the years. At HKELD, we've most recently reviewed their Elephant Man and Victims and Preachers.
Now they’re bringing John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men to Hong Kong as part of an international tour which also takes in Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand (so far) – but almost didn’t make it here at all.
-01.jpg)
‘We’ve performed for so many years in Hong Kong’ says cast member Dan Foley ‘and wanted so much to bring this show to the territory too – because it’s one of the best things we’ve done - but we couldn’t find a venue in the time available – so it’s a big relief that we’ve now found a way to stage it - at the Premium Sofa Club in Sheung Wan.’
Through its association with the soon-to-be launched Brave Heart Theatre project, the Premium Sofa Club (a multi-purpose activity space in Sheung Wan) has recently refitted with sound and lighting facilities suitable for the staging of dramas such as Of Mice and Men.
It’s the story of two outsiders striving to find their place in an unforgiving world. Drifters in search of work, George and his simple minded friend Lennie have nothing in the world except each other and a dream, a dream that one day they will have some land of their own.
Tackling universal themes and giving voice to America's lonely and dispossessed, Of Mice and Men has proved to be one of Steinbeck's most enduring works. Best known as a novella, it was co-published for the stage in 1937; screen adaptations include Gary Sinise’s 1992 Palme D’Or nominated movie with John Malkovich as Lennie. To learn more check out the Wiki page.
Steinbeck’s other works include 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'East of Eden'. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.
Alongside Dan Foley as George, Nigel Miles-Thomas plays Lennie in this pared down re-evocation of this US depression era classic. They’ve turned it into a two-hander lasting just 65 minutes, with a family/schools audience in mind. "Our target audience is anyone above 12 years old”, says Miles-Thomas "up to any age – any lover of good theatre - but as it is a set text taught for English exams around the world, it will be of especially great value to students."
They're experienced stage actors and have toured internationally for years. They also have extensive experience on screen, with appearances on famous British TV shows like Dr. Who.
So why do they think audiences will especially enjoy this version? "We’ve had a great response from our audiences so far on tour," says Miles-Thomas. "Our production is true to the story, beautifully told. And Hong Kong audiences will identify with the story all the more because it is about working hard and striving to realize dreams."
As fun as it is to bring iconic characters to life, it's also a challenge for the actors. One of their chief supports for this production is the music they've chosen for the soundtrack, which they say adds great punctuation to the dramatic moments in the story. And atmosphere too, no doubt…
Of Mice and Men is playing at the Premium Sofa Club, Fui Nam Building, 212-6 Wing Lok St. It's playing September 26th-27th, with showtimes on the 26th at 6pm and 8pm; and 3pm, 6pm and 8pm on the 27th. Tickets are 180HKD for adults and 150HKD for students. You can purchase tickets at the door and online at ticketingover.com.
For more information, click here.
Comments
No comment at the moment.