DECEMBER 2009: ISSUE 7
SOUTHWARK COLLEGE VOICE 9
‘Nothing like it anywhere in world’
EVERY time you take a peek at
By JOHN EDDEN
also the one that Simon and his orchestra
the listings for the National
have no control over - the audience.
Theatre you will find all number
of choreography and practice to get it “It is really important for the audience to
perfect though!” get behind you in Every Good Boy Deserves
of large scale plays, productions,
Every Good Boy, originally a hit feature Favour,” he insisted. Audiences earlier in
musicals and even a few
in the 70s when it featured such big cast the year were really interesting; they would
concerts here and there, but names as Sir Ian McKellan, Patrick laugh at parts of the production that
chances are you have never seen
Stewart and John Wood, has been brought weren’t really meant to be funny and just
a show with all these features
to life for the second successive year after it stared blankly at some of the jokes we
was such a hit earlier this year. deliberately placed in there.
merged together.
It tells the story of dissident, Alexander “Most of the time they get really involved
‘Well of course not’, you may be thinking.
Ivanov, who is imprisoned in a Soviet in the production and everyone on the stage
For to create such a thing would require an
mental hospital, from where he will not needs their energy and enthusiasm to
endless roll of bank notes, a hell of a lot of
be released until he admits his statements perform off. The orchestra and the actors -
planning and rehearsals and production
against the government were caused by a we all need a keen and eager audience in
levels that are off the scale.
mental disorder. He shares a cell with a front of us. That is what really makes the
This sort of commitment is enough to
genuinely disturbed schizophrenic, also production magical - when your crowd are
make even the most committed producer
called Ivanov who believes himself to have really up for the occasion.”
down a large bottle of whiskey and drown
a symphony orchestra under his command. From its heritage, Every Good Boy
his thoughts away at the prospect of the
He receives regular visits from a doctor, Deserves Favour is already a production
immense task that lies in front him. But
a Colonel in the KGB. Meanwhile the recognised throughout the country. A
not Tom Stoppard and Andre Pevin! Oh no,
schizophrenic’s son, Sacha, is in a school school goes right out the window as they production that is always remembered but
they look forward to the challenge and after
classroom with a teacher who is desperately refuse to remain absolutely still, and very rarely put on, Simon enjoyed seeing
getting behind them a stellar cast and
trying to convince him of the genuineness instead move about incessantly. thousands of people turn out last time
none other than the Southbank Sinfornia
of his father’s illness. Of course, such a “There are moments in the production around to watch their performances and is
orchestra the stage is set for one of
complex and analytical plot means that where we are all jumping up in the air expecting an even bigger turnout this time.
the most extravagant and biggest-scale
Simon and his orchestra have to be on top together, flailing our arms about and going “It really is just one of those things you
productions of all time.
form for one moment they are the orchestra mad. It can be really hard for us to have to come and experience for yourself,”
The Sinfornia’s head composer, Simon
in a schizophrenic’s head and the next, they continue to play our instruments and have he said. “It is not a play, a musical or
Over, explained why putting on the
are in the classroom with his young son, so much movement going on at the same really anything that you can comprehend.
production of Every Good Boy Deserves
but not before they are siding with the time. Its dynamic is unique and very special and
Favour is such an event.
political fugitive. “Remember though, we are all number of everything from the story to the production
“It really is an incredibly unique
“It really is a great challenge,” said Simon. different orchestras; the orchestra in the is magical. Being such a difficult
production. There is nothing like it
”We have to switch our styles of music very head of a deranged man, an orchestra in a production to put on as well you never
anywhere in the world and so in a way it is
quickly and can go from emanating a classroom with a young boy and one on the know when might be your last chance to see
very hard to describe. I suppose it is almost
disturbed, insane harmony to a rebellious side of a political activist. As a result, we it so people should come and experience it
like a play set to music but it is much
anthem and a sincere ballad in the space of have to do everything that these orchestras while they can.”
deeper than that. The orchestra is just as
just a few minutes. I have to have an are doing and switch between each one Following a sell-out run in 2009, Tom
involved as the actors. It isn’t a case that
orchestra on its toes, fully engaged and instantly. Luckily we have had no accidents Stoppard and André Previn's Every Good
the acting parts happen and then we burst ready for anything for this to totally work. or injuries in rehearsals so far. Everyone is Boy Deserves Favour returns to the
into song; we are all very much in sync And of course, we need to be working in very professional and we have working National Theatre for a limited run of 41
throughout. harmony with the actors because a lot lies well together which is vital in such a big performances from January 9 to February
“Of course, as the orchestra plays an on timing. If we are out of time with the production as this one.” 17 2010. Directed by Felix Barrett and
equal part to the actors that does mean actors then it can completely ruin a whole Skilled musicians, expert timing, Tom Morris, Every Good Boy Deserves
that you will need a lot of stage space to scene.” harmony and professionalism seems like Favour is a co-production with Southbank
accommodate everyone. We are right in the It is not just with their instruments that enough ingredients for a successful Sinfonia, Britain’s young professional
centre of the revolver so at the heart of the orchestra have to be quick thinking formula but there is a fifth, and according orchestra, conducted by Simon Over.
everything that happens in the production. with though for they are very active to Simon, the fifth ingredient is the most Tickets priced from £10 are available now
We have the actors doing their stuff all throughout the entire production. important. It is the one component that can from the box office on 020 7452 3000 or at
around us and it works well - it takes a lot Everything they learned back in music make or break an entire production and www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Where: Bankside Gallery, 48 Hopton ticket £13
Street Booking: 020 7416 5439 PURR-FECT: The
When: 6/1/10 - 22/1/10; Daily
Cat in the Hat is
11am-6pm What: Every Good Boy Deserves
showing at the
Free Favour
National Theatre
from January 1
Where: Olivier Theatre, South Bank
What: Six Degrees of Seperation (National Theatre)
Where: The Old Vic, 103 The Cut When: 9/1/10 - 17/2/10; times in
When: 7/1/10 - 3/4/10; Mon-Sat repertory
7.30pm; Sat 2.30pm; Sun 5pm Prices TBA
Up to £43.50 Booking: 020 7452 3000
Booking: 0870 060 6628
What: Karen Neale, London in
What: Horrible Histories Landscape
Where: Imperial War Museum, Where: Southwark Cathedral,
Lambeth Road London Bridge
When: 8/1/10 - 31/10/10; Daily When: 10/1/10 - 26/1/10; Daily
10am-6pm 8pm-6pm
£4.95 (conc £3.95, child £2.50, family Free
Is there an event you would
like included in these listings?
If so email all details to
john.edden@mytvonline.co.uk
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