SUNDAY HERALD SUN - Review by Catherine Lambert 4th March 2012
FIVE stars are hard to come by in theatre reviews, as fault can almost always be found.
But Dickens' Women is one of those rare productions where there are no apparent flaws.
Miriam Margolyes is so good she can almost be taken for granted, but every actor should see this performance. Let us start with her voice.
There is never a moment where it is difficult to hear, where a word is missed or poorly enunciated. This is a glorious theatre voice and it holds us in a firm, secure grasp. Margolyes does not revert to shouting to express intensity or ferocity. Just listen to the way she pronounces words that start with the letter ''b'' to understand the value in emphasis of syntax to express emotion.
Mannerisms are subtle and so effective, or exaggerated when appropriate, such as with Mrs Gamp or Miss Mowcher, the dwarf manicurist and hairdresser in David Copperfield.
But Margolyes only has to read Pip's first encounter with Miss Havisham at a lectern to be just as convincing. If more children were read stories with this dedicated excitement to language, they would be bookworms.
The piece is also wonderfully constructed, wandering from excerpts of Dickens' works to Margolyes explaining his life and character in all its darkness and success. The result is a layered appreciation of the artist that would prompt many in the audience to pick up a Dickens novel.
But particular appreciation must be reserved for Margolyes. She is an utter master of her craft.
She is hilarious switching from Mr Bumble to Mrs Corney in an excerpt from Oliver Twist, which she admits she loves to perform to convey sexual and economic greed at once. Mrs Jarley taking Little Nell on a tour of her waxworks show is equally as entertaining.
But she doesn't shy away from Dickens' darker women, either. The frightening Mrs Pipchin of Dombey and Son, the dignified Miss Wade and there may be no sadder figure in literature than Miss Havisham.
This show is heading to Frankston, Geelong and Ballarat after its Melbourne season and may be modest in many ways, but not in talent, content or effect. A must-see treasure chest of delights.
Posted : 4th March 2012