Adapted for the stage by award-winning writer Lucy Gough, Adventures in the Skin Trade takes Dylan Thomas’ unique mix of gritty realism and dream-like scenarios, and gives it the structure and focus required for the stage. It is a humorous and energetic adaptation of what has come to be known as the unfinished autobiography by the famous Welsh writer, published posthumously in 1955. The arrival of this production also marks the Australian debut of the first Welsh theatre company to play at Arts Centre Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House.
Samuel Bennet (played by Ben McGregor) is a young man just out of his teens. The story is a familiar one for many: the atypical country boy goes off in search of adventure in the big smoke. But it is given something extra by Bennet’s nihilistic and rebellious angst and Thomas’ lyricism, which offsets the gritty world he steps into.
The narrative follows this young man as he moves to London in search of well, nothing, really. Setting off on his journey from South Wales, Bennet’s parents foresee a successful career for their son in London, while he, on the other hand, seeks to destroy all acquaintance and relishes the opportunity to have no plan or direction. On arrival he takes up with a complete stranger, furniture dealer Mr Alingham (Richard Nichols). And so begins an evening of drinking and debauchery.
With a cast of six, each member slips from one role to another with quick costume changes carried out on stage. The set is cleverly arranged. A heavy supply of chairs, tables and the single ladder at center, allowing the cast to quickly rearrange the makeshift set between each scene, makes for a shifting design suited to the disordered and chaotic appeal of the tale itself. No cast member ever leaves the stage, draping themselves over furniture or hiding behind props when not required.
Gough has added to the story by incorporating a letter by Thomas and introducing three ‘harpy’ figures to create a dialogue that draws from the stream of consciousness prose in the original story. This change successfully carries the interior monologue of the main character, young Samuel Bennet.
While the original story itself perhaps feels more dark and twisted upon reading, this production draws from the naivety of youth to forge the young Samuel Bennet. It is an incredibly well formed play, a fact made even more exceptional when you consider that it has been adapted from an unfinished work. The audience undoubtedly appreciated it as a work that successfully captures the transition from adolescence to adulthood, with all the humour, risk and awkwardness that this entails.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Adventures in the Skin Trade
By Dylan Thomas
Adapted for the stage by Lucy Gough with Theatr Iolo
Director Kevin Lewis
Cast: Ben McGregor, Louise Collins, Ceri Elen, Steven Elliot, Jenny Livsey, Richard Nichols
Arts Centre Melbourne
5-8 August 2015
