The Emporium Theatre: Entertaining Mr Sloane

The Emporium Theatre brings you a celebration of the 40^th anniversary of Joe Orton’s work, ‘Entertaining Mr Sloane’, a tale of young and old, manipulation and murder.

Beyond the wardrobe in the back of the spacious Emporium lies an amazing set, with its well thought out angles embracing the audience in 1960s interior horror. Truly memorable, the set provides the cast with a perfect stage to entertain.

Mike Goodenough is more than good enough as he gives the star performance of this piece. Rory McCullem also gives a fantastic performance and leaves the audience with a deep sense of sadness at the way society marginalises the elderly. Duncan Drury playing the eponymous protagonist flashes the dangerous shining sneer of Mr Sloane well, however fails to provide a balance that conveys the impression of a skilful manipulator.

Whilst there were great individual performances there was a cohesion lacking in the cast’s interaction. Due to the outlandish nature of the work this is an essential element which plays the vital role of maintaining audience engagement. Without it, there is the risk that the audience will deem the whole piece as too far-fetched and switch off.  

An admirable attempt at a difficult piece, which performed in front of the prudish audiences of the 1960s would be cracking, but in front of the unshockable audiences of modern Brighton, more is required of the cast to bring the piece alive. Once the cast members find their stride and comfortably cement the gaps, this production will definitely be worth a look.

4/5 - The Emporium Theatre - Get down to this theatre. A big, shiny jewel in the crown of London Road.