Photo credit: Marnya Rothe
There is something infinitely accessible about John Steinbeck’s classic novella and resulting stage adaptation, chronicling dashed dreams and the pursuit for survival. The tale of George and Lennie’s doomed meanderings through rural California, searching for a stake where they can live off the ‘fat of the land’ has resonated for generations of English students and readers alike as it brings home the impenetrable truth that ultimately our existence is dependent upon the whims of the country.
Set in depression era America, Of Mice and Men’s narrative touches on themes of loneliness, hope and longing, resulting inevitably in the tragic outcome that condemns each character to being a victim of their own circumstance. Replicating Steinbeck’s matter-of-fact style, Sport for Jove’s production re-enacts the story without any semblance of pretension or melodrama, letting the downplayed drama speak for itself. The simplicity of storyline and representation proves that less is more as director Iain Sinclair succeeds in creating a powerful work full of gut-wrenching emotion.
Without waiting for the formality of curtain rises and the like, a lone acoustic guitarist serenades the audience members as they take their seats, heralding a pattern where the sounds of the west are interwoven into the scene changes throughout the show. Michael Hankin’s set design faithfully recreates the atmosphere of outback Salinas with the presentation being a true to form portrayal of the era and location. Wooden planks establish an intimate border of the stage through which strategically backlit gaps provide ominous glimpses of the backstage drama that proves so crucial to the development of the plot. Interspersed across the stage, great beams of tree-trunk columns further add to the overall ambience of the field workers’ den where most of Act One takes place. Replete with the smell of hay drifting across the theatre from the stage floor covering, the recreation of a western barley farm touching upon the vital senses is complete.
Fidelity to the look and feel of the setting is not lost with the appearance of the performers. Adopting mock American accents, each larger than life character looks and sounds exactly as if they had just stepped off the pages of Steinbeck’s novel. Andrew Henry’s playful depiction of Lennie creates instant rapport with the audience with his incorporation of mannerisms and facial expressions that leave no one in doubt that he is just a big kid trapped in a big man’s body. The connection between he and Anthony Gooley who plays George is palpable, although Gooley’s constant address into the ether during the first few scenes gives him a feeling of distraction, making it harder to relate to his character. By and large though, the performances are solid and the casting is spot on, reflecting the professionalism of the crew behind the production.
Regardless, the real star of the show is lighting designer, Sian James-Holland. Avoiding harsh spotlights that would undermine the humbleness of each character, the lighting of each scene is accentuated with backstage ambient lights, creating the feeling of late afternoon sun. Inconspicuous lanterns adorning the walls of the barn add to the backdrop of a dinghy barn in which a group of guys bunk together after a hard day’s work bucking barley. Complementing the atmospheric stage and prop design, the lighting provides the perfect accompaniment to the reconstruction of the itinerant farming lifestyle that is such a pertinent part of Steinbeck’s story.
Formed in 2009, Sport for Jove have brought utmost professionalism to their interpretation of Steinbeck’s classic. From the brilliant graphic design symbolising George’s despair in the promotion poster to the thoughtfully composed country-style outfits of the labourers, the production quality is in a league of its own. Combining productions of classic stage plays with dramatic education throughout New South Wales the company seeks to ensure that performance storytelling remains a vital part of our culture. In a theatre packed with families, the desire for more universally accessible shows that illustrate the fragility of the human condition is all too evident.
Of Mice & Men is a tribute to the power of storytelling. With understated sight and sound effects and seamlessly delivered performances, the unassuming production avoids any hint of sentimentality that might detract from the clarity of Steinbeck’s script. Instead it is for the audience to fill in the gaps with their own emotions, to turn the show into something beyond a mere display and to make it into an experience. Sport for Jove facilitate this objective by presenting a narrative that seeks not to impose a predisposed interpretation and instead remains quintessential in its craft. The result is an outstanding adaptation that is indicative of a dedicated team working together to bring this heartbreaking tale to life.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Of Mice & Men
Directed by Iain Sinclair
Canberra Playhouse
6-8 August 2015
