Review: Love's Sacrifice, Swan Theatre, Stratford
John Ford's 1633 revenge tragedy is described in the RSC programme as "rarely performed," a term which often elicits the response: "and now you know why."
The play was inspired by Shakespeare's Othello but lacks the Othello magic. And yet it is well worth seeing and the RSC has done a fantastic job in turning a so-so play into a first-class night out.
The freshness is dazzling. This is the first RSC production directed by Matthew Dunster and half the cast are in their debut seasons with the company. The Swan Theatre is transformed in Anna Fleischle's design into an endless back-projected nave, fabulously lit by Lee Curran.
Matthew Needham is splendid as the central character, the Duke of Pavy, deluded into thinking his wife is unfaithful with his best friend, and descending into madness.
The comic relief comes from Matthew Kelly as the buffoonish courtier Mauruccio in a performance with echoes of his dancing master, Old Mr Turveydrop, in the BBC's adaptation of Bleak House. Audiences love Kelly.
There's a fine RSC debut by young Andy Apollo as the smooth seducer Ferentes who has three ladies pregnant before the interval and, inevitably, joins the long and bloody body count. A rollicking night out.
Love's Sacrifice is at the Swan until June 24.
