5/11, Festival Theatre, Chichester
Terrorists strike at the seat of Government
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Your support makes all the difference.You might initially fear a crude modern approach as John Ramm's William Monteagle bangs on about King James being a "poofter" and " shirtlifter" and about his own preference for a Catholic uprising in league with the "wops". This production could also, probably, have done without demi-modern costumes: ruffs combined with Doc Martens and the odd denim doublet. However, the writing largely settles down and the resonances feel intelligently integrated as Stephen Noonan's Catesby talks feverously about martyrdom; as he turns away from his less militant elder, Richard O'Callaghan's harrowed Henry Garnet; and as Hugh Ross's Cecil, in the fall-out, swiftly has torture sanctioned. Beyond the topicality, Kemp is bidding to be the new Peter Whelan and 5/11 will stand the test of time as an intriguing history play, combining poetic licence with fascinating background facts - not least James' broken promises of tolerance, internecine connections with the Spanish, and shifting papal support regarding insurgencies. Alistair McGowan's shallow performance fails to capture King James' paranoid side, but Ross' seemingly mild, reasonable, atheistic Cecil proves chillingly amoral and the production is gripping overall, played out on a circle of soot-black earth. Frank McGuinness' new RSC Gunpowder Season play, Speaking Like Magpies, will surely provide further food for thought at the end of this month.
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