Mike Maran and Philip Contini’s adaptation of Louis de Bernières’ novel is not your usual hour and a half play with actors, scenes, expensive stages and fancy props. Instead, they opt for simplicity and have basically decided to re-tell the story much as if you were listening to an audio book. On paper, it sounds like a pretty dull and boring idea but somehow they make it work.
Not only do Maran and Contini have perfect storytelling voices but they are full of passion for what they do, transmitting this to an audience which follows very attentively to what they have to say. Both men know how to get everyone laughing at the funny moments (such as the furtive kisses between Pelagia and Corelli) and, at the same time, leave the public with goose bumps at the sadder ones.
Alison Stephens and Anne Evans’ music is also worth appraisal. Both women are maestros at the different instruments they play throughout the show, especially Stephens’ mandolin notes. The look on Evans’ face as she plays the piano or when she listens to her partner’s performance is one of joy and complete confidence on the material.
This is acting in its simplest form; they are modern troubadours that excel in translating the beauty of a book that has never seen better adaptation.
4/5
Adrian G. Velazquez
