Theatre Review: Augusta | New End Theatre | Alan Frank's new play

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The Review - THEATRE by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
Published: 16 October 2008

Disparate views on the write to life

REVIEW: AUGUSTA
New End Theatre

NOT so much a “whodunnit?” as “who he?”, Alan Frank’s new play Augusta at the New End Theatre explores the relationship between a biographer and his subject.
Some terrific writing and strong performances make up for the shortcomings of the play’s construction to provide 75-minutes of jolly entertainment.
Patrick, played superbly by Jonathan Rigby, is the biographer. His subject is Alfredo, a South American businessman played equally well by George Savvides.
They’re having a natter at Patrick’s flat when they are joined by Augusta (the Brazilian television actress Antonia Frering, lending verisimilitude to the evening’s proceedings).
She’s from South America and a long-time friend of Patrick; her recollections of Alfredo during her youth provide a very different picture of the South American businessman to the hagiography being undertaken by Patrick.
The contrasting views provide for development of some fine tensions until all is revealed on the arrival of a fourth guest.
After this early denouement, however, there’s a complete change of tack and we’re invited to investigate the relationship between a diffident English bachelor and his fiery South America friend.
As a play, the twists and turns don’t really hang together. But making up for that is the pyrotechnic writing of journalist Alan Franks where aphorisms, bon mots and great one-liners tumble forth in a veritable torrent.
The play benefits from the direction of Chrys Salt, the artistic director of Bare Boards, a company noted for its productions of new or little known works. Norman Coates is the designer.
Until November 2
0870 033 2733

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