This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour was invited to Prism press night at Birmingham Rep.
By Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour
Please note: this production contains strong language, misogynistic behaviour and homophobic phrases.
Prism at Birmingham Rep
Written and directed by Terry Johnson
Presented by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Hampstead Theatre, Prism enjoyed the first press night of its 2019 UK Tour yesterday and is at Birmingham Rep until 12th October.
Set in the later life of film director and Oscar-Winning cinematographer Jack Cardiff (played by Robert Lindsay), Jack is starting to not know where he is, or what day it is, or who people are. His son Mason (Oliver Hembrough) hires a care assistant, Lucy (Victoria Blunt) keep an eye on Jack. But Jack’s wife Nichola (played by Tara Fitzgerald) is less than impressed by this situation.
Exploring Jack Cardiff’s past and his present situation is fascinating and I had deliberately not read what Prism was about (other than knowing Jack worked in the Hollywood movie industry). For people who have experienced memory loss or Alzheimer’s or those with relatives who have this was very personal and thoughtful.
The first act is set in a garage that has become a memory mancave, it is filled with photos of old Hollywood actresses actually taken by the real Jack Cardiff, a huge film camera, a typewriter and a few pieces of furniture. The second half explores Jack’s memories more vividly and we see things from his perspective even further.
The bold orchestral soundtrack style music and the portrait-angled tv monitors provide their own absorbing moments which might have looked out of place in other productions.
I feel like I could watch Robert Lindsay read anything and I’d just enjoy it. Robert Lindsay, himself has been an enduring talented mainstay of British culture for over 40 years, he puts his own stamp on this obviously iconic and charismatic character of Jack. Tara Fitzgerald as heartbroken Nichola is fantastic to watch while Oliver Hembrough‘s frustrated Mason and Victoria Blunt as vulnerable Lucy complete this lovely cast.
Charming, funny, smart and informed this sensitive production which never shies away from its tough subject matter.
Prism is at Birmingham Rep until 12th October. Book tickets here: birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/prism.html
When not writing about theatre for BrumHour, or producing Interval Theatre for Brum Radio (Tuesdays 3pm) brumradio.com/intervaltheatre,
Dave Massey can be found eating crisps and claiming to be at the gym. And tweeting about Birmingham for #BrumHour.
