Review of Loft Theatre Company production of Vincent in Brixton (2009)

This intriguing play makes demands which are formidable for audiences and monumental for any theatre company bold enough to tackle it.

Examining a formative period in the early years of Vincent Van Gogh, it suggests influences which might have shaped the character of the tempestuous and tormented artistic genius.

For the Loft, the challenge lies in developing seeds which have been liberally sprinkled through the piece by writer Nicholas Wright and bringing to life the soaring passions of the young man whose subsequent glory would only arise from the ashes of depression and tragedy.

Marian Kemmer’s incisive direction effectively delivers clues that are both verbal and visible, sometimes mischievous.

The play has shortcomings in structure and occasionally verges on the pretentious but it provokes thought and raises fascinating issues about its subject. The production broaches these with style and subtlety, occasionally offset by lack of finish.

There are drawbacks. Alexander Rogers, wielding a welter of over-cooked speech patterns, renders Vincent as more of an oddball nonentity than a budding maestro. The character needs more control and definition, with less play on the accent of the outspoken Dutchman, to make us care about his future.

Supporting performances are light-weight and it is left to Mary MacDonald to bring home the real artistry of the play. Once into her stride, her portrayal of Vincent’s older amour bristles with sexual repression and inner rage, and here lies the real emotional impact of this production and a powerful pointer to what could have been Vincent’s most poignant source of inspiration.

To many the Van Gogh story hinges around sunflowers, starry nights and a lopped off ear. Here is the opportunity to consider a much broader canvas.

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Peter McGarry is an experienced, independent professional theatre critic who has agreed to review Loft Theatre Company productions.

The agreement with the Loft is that Peter is free to express his opinions for good or ill. The Loft Theatre Company has no control whatsoever over the content of these reviews and will never comment publicly on what he writes.