Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company and Nottingham Playhouse present

Arthur & George

Adapted for the stage by David Edgar and based on the novel by Julian Barnes

Tuesday 23 March 2010

A large audience were seated in readiness for the unfolding of this intriguing story. The vast rep stage revealed an almost misty and very atmospheric setting which took on the feel of candlelight as the first act commenced.  Ruari Murchison has designed many productions for the Rep and the use of the revolving stage allowed full utilisation of all that space and added to the Victorian atmosphere that was being created. The clever combination of dark furnishings and autumnal costumes completed the picture.  There were however times when things appeared a little too sombre and more brightness on stage would have improved visibility. Vocal projection was good and Rachel Kavanaugh’s direction kept the interest of the audience.

Birmingham solicitor George Edalji played confidently by Chris Nayak had been convicted of a terrible crime and was desperate to prove his innocence.  Known at the time quite sensationally as The Great Wyrley Outrages the play explores Victorian attitudes to guilt, innocence, race, nationality and prejudice amongst other things. After his release from prison Edalji wrote to crime author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle seeking his help to solve the mystery and hopefully win him a pardon.

Well known stage and television actor Adrian Lukis played Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with considerable presence and through the use of flash backs tells the story of his meetings with George Edalji and the outcome of his investigations assuming an almost Sherlock Holmes approach to the case. There are many good scenes between the principals within the play but I found the first act rather slow and although the characters have to provide the facts it was quite a comparison to the pace of the second act which I found much faster and more interesting. In some ways it reminded me of a radio drama production. The whole cast worked well together. The audience clearly enjoyed the occasional black country accents and overall it was a good experience but one which required plenty of concentration on the part of the audience as there were plenty of facts to absorb and follow.

The play has a running time of approx 2 hours and 30 minutes including one interval and runs until Sat 10 Apr 2010.

Clive Fuller