Red Wall Community Theatre

A Successful Marriage!

Review by Lizzie Medwell

I wouldn't normally have chosen to see a play by Gogol, finding the idea of 'a surreal and absurdist Russian satire' somewhat daunting. But I'd been surprised and delighted by Red Wall's previous productions and decided to go to Ripon Arts Hub with an open mind and am so glad I did! First performed in the mid-19th century, the play felt fresh and relevant thanks to director Marie Henderson's skillful adaptation, which gave the play a delightfully modern twist, with young proto-feminist Agatha (played by a feisty Isabel Trigoso) taking centre stage.

Joel Dean (Podkolyosin) and James Reilly (Kochkaryov) made the perfect double act, with 'Pod' becoming more hesitant and uncertain the more insistent his friend became, until both men, in their own hilarious ways, completely exasperated the so-much-wiser women who were observing Kochkaryov's shenanigans. Meanwhile Agatha's other suitors - Omelet (Colin Beveridge), Zhevakin (Ray Black) and Anushkin (Gary Philpott) were a delight - subtly combining male chauvinism and toxic masculinity with a total lack of self-awareness or empathy. Poor Agatha! But she bravely stood her ground throughout, making the best of her situation with no illusions.

Wily marriage-broker Allison Clark (Fyokla) was the perfect foil for the manipulative Kochkaryov and, in her sensitive portrayal of young Agatha's aunt Arina, Jan Williams managed to express so much just by pursing her lips or raising an eyebrow. (Not that Arina's words pulled any punches.) And Jacqueline Adshead and Toby Holbrey made the most of their cameo roles as maid and manservant respectively.

All in all, Marriage was a real treat, comic and fun, but also raised serious issues which kept the audience happily chatting in the bar long into the evening.

Well done Red Wall! I look forward to your next surprising or unexpected but no doubt enjoyable production.