'Mr Paul'

by Tankred Dorst

Directed by David Graham-Young
Set and lighting design by David Burrows
Costumes designed by Chrystine Bennett

with
Sarah Jane Derrick
Jill Johnson
Richard Kane
Stephen Ley
Anita McCann
and Rhys Meredith

at The Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington, London

October 10th to November 4th 2001

 




Quicktime movie (6mb) of 2.52 minutes of moments from the show

Set in reunified Germany, the isolated and stubborn Herr Paul lives with his eccentric sister in the derelict soap factory they have made their home. Their existence is turned on its head with the arrival of Helm, who has inherited the factory and has major plans to renovate the site and move the ageing siblings. The arrival of Helm's girlfriend, Lilo, further explodes the surreal and insular existence that Paul has created for himself, with apparently macabre consequences.

Reviews:

“ Feisty British premiere”, “Beautifully Gothic Dickensian characters ... Tight contemporary plot”, “Greatly aided by the talents of Richard Kane, David Graham-Young’s production is as darkly dramatic and mischievous as you could wish for”, “Rewarding viewing”
Time Out

“Much of the writing in Mister Paul is exquisite, as is the translation”, “Richard Kane’s Mister Paul is a wonderful creation of weary dignity cut with creepy impishness”, “Jill Johnson’s Luise returns to steal the show, her frosty grandeur in the midst of squalor as touching as it is absurd”
The Independent

“Contemporary Stage Company is to be congratulated on their entertaining British premiere. Richard Kane revels in the title role... Rhys Meredith also impresses... Jill Johnson, delightfully garrulous and eccentric. Anita McCann, sympathetically anarchic. David Graham-Young nicely sustains the intriguing battle of wills - enlivened by many moments of surreal humour.”
The Stage

“My students and I enjoyed the performance enormously. It is very rare to find such an unusual and polished piece of work in the fringe venues.”
Head of Drama The King Alfred School

 


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