UK Theatre Network

This will be the final year of Manchester Library Theatre Company’s residence at the Library Theatre, partly due to the redevelopment of the building, and partly as they go in search of more spacious and modern surroundings.  As if to prove that they have outgrown their home of fifty-odd years, artistic director Chris Honer has mounted a production of Shakespearian proportions featuring singing, dancing, live music, new media and a cast of fifteen actors.

The Good Soul of Szechuan is one of Bertolt Brecht’s parables for the theatre.  Three gods come down to earth in an apparently fruitless search for a good person, and having finally found one - the prostitute Shen Te - reward her appropriately.  But the warm-hearted girl discovers that wealth makes it harder for her to be good, while her benefactors become increasingly disillusioned on their jaunt among the mortals.

Poppy Miller doesn’t seem especially vulnerable as Shen Te, but when she introduces us to her tough (male) cousin Shui Ta, rendered with convincing bravado and swagger, the contrast is entirely effective.

The episodic nature of the story introduces Shen Te to a wide range of comic characters, allowing for some memorable acting by the diverse and talented company.  Susan Twist is droll and dead-pan as Mrs Shin, China’s answer to Hilda Ogden; James Foster delivers a wonderful pantomime turn as the one-eyed, sartorially-challenged Mr Shu Fu; and Josh Moran’s Policeman gives some indication of how a gun-toting version of Z-Cars might have looked.  Nor will I soon forget the spectacle of the three gods (Olwen May, Natasha Bain and John Cummins) reduced to raggedy straw-stuffed scarecrows by the end of their world tour.

Michael Pavelka’s clever design with its moving corrugated-iron walls allows for slick scene changes, and the projected film of the gods’ heads (despite the image briefly summoning up memories of Superman’s parents in the Christopher Reeve film) is a fully-justified example of new media in a theatrical context.

The Library Theatre is famed for its interpretations of Brecht, and Chris Honer’s energetic production of David Harrower’s easy and colloquial translation fully does justice to this reputation.

The Good Soul of Szechuan is on until Saturday 28 November 2009

Prices: £10.00-£17.50 (concessions available)

Eves: Mon-Sat @ 7.30pm

Matinees: Sats @ 2.30pm; Thurs 12 & 19 @ 2.30pm; Wed 25 @ 2pm

Box Office: 0161 236 7110

www.librarytheatre.com