23 June 2011 (released)
28 June 2011
This is as much an ambition play as it is an ambition stage production, but whether you will learn more about history depends entirely on how you perceive things – literally!
The year is 1913 and pioneering Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach (yes, he of the inkblot test) travels to Russia (his fiancé is from that part of the world, you see) to test his theory in the hip and trendy Krukovo Sanatorium. Amongst his patients are self-styled Russian revolutionary Roman Malinovsky (Jason Spencer) and Countess Ekaterina Dorobyeva (Josie Martin), the wayward daughter of a Tsarist aristocrat. While Roman and Ekaterina don’t read dreams but their own political theories and fantasies into displayed inkblots, it is Rorschach who soon finds himself drawn into a net of intrigue where wrong perceptions might prove a lot more dangerous and compromising than the mental state of his patients… leading him to leave Russia.
Written by Carole Boyer, directed by Benedict Warning and produced by Léonie Scott-Matthews, Rorschach in Russia turns out to be neither political theatre nor psychological drama but a curious hybrid of both. The overall acting is engaging and John Rayment as Dr. Viktor Zhukov provides the perfect antidote to Rorschach. Francis Moore as Dr. Rorschach has the right level of qualities his part requires, though it might help if he could stick either to a German accent throughout, or simply just speak plain English like the rest of the cast. Drifting from a German accent back into English only stains the dialogue like inkblots stain a shirt.
Where the play is flawed, however, is in its many political references – we are talking pre-1917’s Russian Revolution! Unless you had really good history lessons in school (and actually remember any of it) or are otherwise interested in Russian history, you might find yourself lost in all the references, consequently you might find yourself lost in some of the plot, too. Why the play has been adapted without making the essential history bits more clear is beyond me – particularly as this is a ‘world premiere’ performed in 2011 England.
The set (designed by Godfrey Old) is delightful and perfectly suited to create the necessary atmosphere, however, it is Pentameters Theatre founder Léonie Scott-Matthews (who also produced the play) who always walks the extra mile to make her visitors feel welcome. Before every performance Léonie takes to the stage to greet the audience and talk a bit about the history of Pentameters as well as the performance they are about to see. While doing so, she delights in wearing a theatrical costume to suit the occasion. On the night I went to see the performance, Léonie fancied herself as a distant cousin of Rorschach who happens to live in London, sporting an Edwardian style outfit. A charming and quirky touch in the spirit of a true bohemian.
Rorschach in Russia runs until July 3rd at
Pentameters Theatre, 28 Heath Street, Hampstead NW3 6TE.
For performance times and ticket prices call Box Office on 020 7435 3638
