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| The Film Society - 1988 Directed by Michael Attenborough and written by Jon Robin Baitz. Ran at the Hampstead Theatre from 4-27 February, 1988. Cast: Jonathan Bolton - Denis Lawson Nan Sinclair - Dinah Stabb Terry Sinclair - James Aubrey Sylvia Balton - Margery Mason Neville Sutter - Alan MacNaughton Hamish Fox - John Rogan Reviews: "...set in a boys school in Durban in 1970, versatile Denis Lawson and James Aubrey sail through it with conviction and confidence. The play's sad message hinges on Lawson being made headmaster, embracing a racist Establishment and passing up just one more opportunity to change. ..." Clive Hirschhorn, Sunday Express |
| "...Denis Lawson is a weak, spongy character nurtured by a dying society makes himself so amiable that it comes as a shock when he reverts to type. ..." Milton Shulman, Evening Standard "Written by an American and set in an English-style public school in South Africa, this stiffly written drama seldom rises above the level of a school play. I imagine that some political insights into the role of the British in South Africa has left the Commonweath, but I found the entire experience only slightly more fruitful than being detained after school to write lines. The only pleasure is a stunning performance by Denis Lawson as the original hollow man, a failed radio actor and movie buff (with a pretty mediocre taste in films) whose rich, schemeing mother raises him from organiser of the school's film society to headmaster in the twinkling of a cheque book. The transformation of Mr. Lawson as he dons a white suite and gets ready to betray his liberal friends like some later day Judas is a sight to savour. Curiously, the author seems slightly puzzled by his character's treachery. The audience is not. After all, betrayal (either personal or political) is what the English do best." Lyn Gardiner, City Limits Thank you Alice's Requiem and Helen!!! |
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