REVIEW: Greek

Writer: Steven Berkoff
Director: Adel Al-Salloum
Assistant Director: Natalie Raven
Lighting: Ziggy Jacobs
Sound: Simon Moloney

After seeing East on Monday night and despite knowing that Greek is an entirely different play with different actors I couldn’t help draw the comparisons.

Greek, which was created by Steven Berkoff, was depicted by six drama students from De Montfort University last night in Curve’s studio space.

Director Adel Al-Salloum said, “We have challenged ourselves to unpick, explore and delve into the murky world of Berkoff’s Greek, a modern Oedipus set in a destitute and decaying England where an emotional plague has taken root and there are few ideals to speak of.

“The play is also a love story told through our hero Eddy, a young English lad living in the east end of London in the 1980s.”

Included in the cast line-up for Greek is Jony McClean (Eddy), Mark Halliday (Dad), Jennifer Smith (Mum), Kelly Scagill (Doreen/Spinx), Becca Cooper (Wife/Waitress) and Laurie Cusack (Fortune Teller/Café Manager).

Unlike East, last night’s performance of Greek was a slow starter. It took a while to fully grasp the understanding of the characters and the story which was being laid out.

The familiarity of the stage set-up and lighting (Simon Moloney) and sound (Ziggy Jacobs) used through both plays left me feeling like there was something missing.

The whole premise of East was underpinned with a very sadistic humour but Greek lacked any humour at all and chose to plunge into a dark tale which never truly had a full substance for me.
There were several moments in East where I could pick out a scene which has stuck with me or moved me in some way. With Greek, I can only think of one.

When the Spinx (Kelly Scagill) is shouting about her feminist views to unsuspecting Eddy (Jonny McClean) her words were powerful and you could see the whole audience were hooked on her stage prowess.

If I had to choose between the two shows I would see East again because I enjoyed the characters more and I love a good laugh.

Curve and De Montfort University have paired up to work on East and Greek which were both created by the iconic British playwright, who played General Orlov in James Bond’s Octopussy.

Both shows are unsuitable for children and contain scenes and language of a graphic sexual and violent nature which may cause offence.

Greek will be on for two more nights; 10 & 12 March at 7.45pm.

To book tickets visit http://www.curveonline.co.uk/