Camden New Journal - Theatre: Tom Fool

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The Review - THEATRE by MARIGOLD KIERNAN
Published: 19 April 2007

Tragic tomfoolery

TOM FOOL
Bush Theatre

THIS play, written in 1978, is focused on a family, father mother and son. Their inward looking, relationship is emphasized by the claustrophobic set – the actors they mingle with the feet of the audience on the front row, mimicking the way the family is spilling out of their control, and can no longer be contained. I pitied them, particularly Ludwig, whose ambitious but unrealistic parents would rather he stay cooped up indoors than to become an apprentice bricklayer.
They want to boast to the neighbours that their son is a lawyer or a doctor, or even working in a bank. Ludwig, (Richard Madden) is convincing as the frustrated son, although physically an unlikely bricklayer.
The family tensions escalate to a gut-wrenching climax.
The structure is of endless very short scenes introduced by a title and proverb projected on the wall.
The beautifully choreographed and deftly performed production is a real challenge for the actors.
While powerfully acted, with an especially strong performance from the father Otto (Liam Brennan), the themes of masturbation and domestic violence no longer shock us as they would the audiences of the 1970’s and the feminism message felt outdated. But the energy and drama made up for those shortcomings in an evening that comes highly recommended.
Until April 21
020 7610 4224

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