This show includes: violent and disturbing content, scenes of a sexual nature, loud music and nudity.
This new production of Anthony Burgess’ 1962 novel promised to be a brutal and harrowing ordeal. Stanley Kubrick’s notoriously violent film adaptation courted much controversy, eventually being withdrawn from UK distribution for 27 years after a string of alleged copycat incidents. Could this production ‘live up’ to the title’s reputation? The novel, film and play follow young slang-speaking gang-leader Alex DeLarge as he and his ‘droog’ gang unleash rape, murder and mayhem upon the society of a dystopian England. Framed for murder, Alex is imprisoned before being forced into a program of experimental aversion therapy accompanied by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony rendering him incapable of violence, sexual contact and aggression.
NSDF award-winning company Belt Up (Nothing to see / hear ) impressively deliver Burgess’ visionary ultra-violent and menacing atmosphere through numerous bowler hat wearing, evil-clown faced characters in this physically exerting and brilliantly choreographed piece of work. Shrieks of shocked surprise were heard around the small studio theatre as the audience became immersed and in some cases manipulated into the mise-en-scene of the play developing a feeling of claustrophobia and tension aptly supported by atmospheric lighting and an eclectic mix of bass-thumping rave and austere classical music.
The high octane opening fight sequence perfectly established the physical nature of the piece and introduced the audience to the play’s protagonist, Alex DeLarge. The portrayal of Alex was gripping; skillfully endearing himself to a reluctant audience with intelligence, clear delivery and precise movement before breaking the facade with viciousness and venom. Other cast members supported the journey of the gang leader, Burgess’ central pivot, playing multiple characters, morphing seamlessly from role to role with appropriate subtly and zest.
This absorbing and impressive production showcased a company creating physically exuberant, exhausting and atmospheric theatre. However, while the atmosphere and the physicality of the piece were excellent, two minor elements of the production left me with a feeling that I’d escaped lightly. Two short intervals were well-timed to punctuate the performance and give the audience time to metaphorically digest previous scenes, but they also cut the well-developed tension and broke the concentration and focus needed for such a potentially powerful production.
I was also disappointed that the fear inducing intrusion into the audience at the start of the play was not sustained as vigorously as I’d expected at the start of the play, particularly for the audience in the third and fourth rows where the action seemed occasionally distant and consequently too “safe” to get the most from this intimate style of theatre. Belt Up (Nothing to see / hear) are an ambitious fresh young company who are breaking traditional mainstream boundaries between audience and performer with their particular brand of innovative and immersive theatre. They will be performing at Edinburgh Fringe Festival running The Red Room immersive theatre venue and after seeing A Clockwork Orange I’d recommend paying them a visit.
Find out more at www.beltuptheatre.co.uk
