A Tale of Two Cities

I wandered into the Open Air Theatre with little (or rather no) knowledge of what to expect. I have never read nor seen any version of A Tale of Two cities. My friend who joined me for the show asked, as we took our seats, if I knew the story to which I replied “well I know it’s about two cities”.

“Oh well done” was her dry reply.

I felt the need to defend my knowledge “and…” I added “I know which cities it is about”. She understandably was not impressed by my rather pathetic assertion of knowledge about this narrative. Fortunately I did not go on as I soon discovered that even this brief assertion was in fact wrong. The story, as I am sure 95% of the population knows is about London and Paris, I thought it was about London and Manchester. I really do need to work on my Dickens…but anyway I digress…

The set consisted purely of a trinity of enormous cargo containers was exciting and interactive. All three containers were used to great effect keeping your interest fixated on the story as they swung open and changed position on the turning stage. Meanwhile the ensemble cast was clever and full of energy and the modern day references tucked within were a delight. At one point an array of bling in a night club and carriage scene reminded me quite emphatically of Trump whilst a later reference to the refugee crisis I found very poignant. Meanwhile my favourite section of the opening half was the courtroom scene, always an enjoyable affair, court room scenes are usually a delight of mine and this one proved no exception, well-staged and rather electrifying with the baying mob. Little dramatic flourishes of the characters, such as tossing a wine glass into the bushes, added quite beautifully to the overall effect drawing me into the story.

The second act completely changed the tempo of the play. Everything was more intense as the revolution took hold. The high emotions, the mob mentality, the pain of the characters, it was all beautifully exemplified by the actors involved. Tribunal court cases abounded as we raced to the tale’s conclusion.

The set is unique, the lighting magnificent, especially as night falls on the park and the trees are lit up spectacularly over the stage. Simply as a visual spectacle it is worth a visit, but the story is so much more then that, it is a timely tale of emotion that just sucks you in, I felt the modern setting worked a treat and frequently gave you food for thought.

The end result made me sorely tempted to pick up and read a copy of the book (not something I usually say of Dickens whom I find somewhat humourless at times). I’m intrigued to find out what details of Dickens' tale, which told the story so well, were missed out of this production. But whatever were they did not detract from a marvelous evening of open air theatre. My one reservation is that wine glass in the bushes, I do hope someone went to pick it up afterwards. I hate to think there are now a cluster of chalices clumping in the shrubbery for an unsuspecting badger to run afoul of.