I posted here recently on the 20th year anniversary revival of MY NIGHT WITH REG, now back in London at the Donmar Warehouse. Well I saw it yeterday afternoon, and it was terrific. It is only on until the end of the month here, but - like the original - may transfer to a bigger theatre.
I had not been to the Donmar before and I absolutely loved it, a great theatre space, with bars etc right in the middle of Covent Garden Seven Dials area, just over from Charing Cross Road. Nice pub nearby too for drinks and lunch. We were practically on stage with the actors, as the audience is on three sides, a total of 250 or so, so if was of course sold out. Perhaps its an English THE NORMAL HEART .... David Bowie's "Starman" gets a look in too!
Like the original production I saw in 1997, it is played at a quick rate, all 3 acts with no interval, as we watch the six characters inter-act. It is of course set in the mid-80s as the Aids crisis hits Engand and we observe this group of gay men. It turns out of course that all had slept with the unseen Reg, who has died by the second act. Guy - whose flat it is - was also careless when on holiday ..... so the stage is set for that profoundly sad ending, but it is also very funny. As I said before, the BBC version slows it down quite a bit, so it is a different experence on the stage. All six actors are perfect: Julian Ovenden (back to wooing Lady Mary in the return of DOWNTON ABBEY this weekend) and Lewis Reeves (below) as the dreamy Eric who both have to strip, Jonathan Broadbent, Richard Cant, Matt Bardock and Geoffrey Streatfeild. Directed by Robert Hastie, with a great set - I love that conservatory with the rain falling (below). Such a shame the author Kevin Elyot died earlier this year .... (as per my RIP post).
In memory of Mike Clifton, RIP.
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