Amy’s View
★★★☆☆ Slow-moving
The Royal Scots Club (Venue 241): Mon 19 – Sat 24 Aug 2024
Review by Hugh Simpson
The Makars’ production of Amy’s View, at the Royal Scots Club for the Fringe’s last week, is well staged and acted but never really ignites.
David Hare’s 1997 play portrays its characters from 1979 to 1995, as Margaret Thatcher rises and the political, business and media landscape changes out of all recognition. The Amy of the title is the daughter of successful actor Esme, and their relationships are explored as time goes on.
Maria Rasinkangas as Amy, Liam Mortell as Dominic, Thérèse Gallagher as Esme. Pic: Mark Robottom.
At one point, Dominic, the representative of Thatcherism and Amy’s boyfriend, declares ‘theatre is dead’. It’s almost as if Hare is daring his audience not to think the same, in what is almost a parody of the ‘well-made play’. His characters stand in a country house in Berkshire talking at each other and taking an unconscionably long time doing it.
All of the worst aspects of Hare’s work seem to be concentrated here, with none of the compensations. The characters are just mouthpieces for points of view; the writer doesn’t really believe in them, which makes it very difficult for the performers and audience. For a play about emotions, it is weirdly unemotional.
insufferable
The original West end cast featured Judi Dench, Ronald Pickup and Samantha Bond; it is beyond unfair to compare anyone to such performers, but without a cast of such magnitude the characters are revealed as one-dimensional. Amy maintains that Dominic is ‘funny and gentle’, but we don’t see that – he is simply insufferable, until he changes inexplicably in the last act.
Derek Melon as Frank, Sheila Clark as Evelyn, Thérèse Gallagher as Esme, Maria Rasinkangas as Amy. Pic: Mark Robottom.
The cast here are certainly doing their utmost. Liam Mortell’s convincingly portrayed Dominic is, as he should be, simply awful – a sleekit, amoral yuppie-on-the-make. Thérèse Gallagher’s Esme has the requisite self-absorption and deep emotional hinterland.
Maria Rasinkangas is self-contained as Amy, giving vent to the character’s frustrations persuasively when required. Derek Melon gives Esme’s neighbour and admirer Frank a sheen of bonhomie and a peculiar sympathy.
Sheila Clarke is terrific as Amy’s grandmother Evelyn, with her depiction of dementia more subtle than the writing probably deserves. Mark Robottom also makes the most of his cameo as Toby.
well considered and sympathetic
Martin Burnell’s direction is always well considered and sympathetic, if a little one-paced at times. Due care is given to presenting the characters as ageing. However, some of the transitions between the acts make what is already a long play seem even longer. Sid Gardner’s lighting and Tycho Bickerstaff’s sound are impeccable.
Indeed, most of the faults on display are those of the original play, which deals with important issues at infuriating length. The production is therefore solid but never truly convincing, despite everyone’s best efforts.
Running time: two hour and 30 minutes (including one interval)
The Royal Scots Club (Hepburn Suite), 9-31 Abercromby Place, EH3 6QE (Venue 241)
Monday 19 – Saturday 24 August 2024
Daily : 7.30 pm
Details and tickets at: Book here
Website: www.edinburghmakars.com
Facebook: @edinburghmakars
Instagram: @edinburghmakars
Maria Rasinkangas as Amy, Derek Melon as Frank, Liam Mortell as Dominic. Pic: Mark Robottom.
ENDS
