Review: Playhouse Creatures
Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
Running until January 24
The Cygnet Company have managed to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging piece of theatre with their version of April De Angelis' Playhouse Creatures.
Director Amanda Knott has put together a slick ensemble production which was satisfyingly pleasing for the whole audience, easing us into the 17th century English Restoration period with light humour and amusement as we are introduced to the five female protagonists, who are based on historical figures and literary characters.
Despite the generally adequate performances of the whole cast, there were definite stand-out performances given by Kaja Pecnik, who plays Mrs Betterton, a renowned yet ageing actress losing her grip over audiences as younger actresses enter the theatre, as well as Rosalind Williams, playing Doll Common, the frank and coarse wardrobe dresser to Mrs Betterton.
Both actresses truly stole the show, giving powerfully emotive and watchable performances that steered clear of earnestness while achieving the sincerity of their character's stories.
Pecnik's intense wide eyes demanded the attention and investment of the audience as we see her somewhat break down over the course of the play, while Williams' witty yet humble portrayal of Doll felt wholly honest due to her natural comfort on the stage.
Knott managed to harness the potential of the Cygnet's large stage space by using numerous railings of costumes, which were moved at the start of scenes to create various shapes and signal a shift in mood and time, contributing to the fast-paced progression of the show.
Of course, at the core of the play were the fascinating and sometimes jarring stories of the five female figures, which had the audience engrossed the whole way through, for this I cannot fault the Cygnet Company and highly recommend that you catch the show before the end of its run this week.
By Talia Winn
Performances take place at 7.30pm, with a matinee also taking place on Saturday at 2pm. Tickets cost £10, concessions and children £6 child. Call 01392 277189 or visit www.www.cygnettheatre.co.uk
