‘Never Let Me Go’ is a sincere and clever adaption by Suzanne Heathcote of the best-selling novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.
The show is a co-production by London’s Rose Theatre, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Bristol Old Vic and malvern theatres where it opened last night.
The play is ambitious on many levels and directed with dynamism, vision and passion by Christopher Haydon. He makes us think, weep and gasp from the get-go to the tear- jerking climax.
Designer Tom Piper’s cavernous, semi-circular pale wooden set with its several sets of double doors and large windows, is like a beating institutional heart. The multipurpose space changes in the blink of an eye – from the interiors of various hospital rooms and schools to exteriors of playing fields and beaches. It is a masterclass in practical design, offering a kaleidoscope of fully functioning spaces which commendably have perfect audience sightlines from anywhere in the auditorium; something of a rarity with touring shows.
The story, set in the 1990s, is a cautionary tale about a dystopian British society where – SPOILER ALERT – rich humans clone themselves to provide body parts to enjoy long lives.
Our guide and narrator is one of the clones Kathy H, played by Nell Barlow who is simply wonderful. She carries us with her for nigh on 150 minutes, rarely leaving the stage. Barlow’s performance takes us through the whole gambit of emotions from joy to despair and will remain with me for a long time.
We discover Kathy grew up in ‘Hailsham’, a specially conceived boarding school for clones where they were encouraged to be sporty, creative and artistic. The theory being that Hailsham’s clones would be raised in a joyous manner, making them eager to provide better and more ‘donations’. They were in essence akin to specially-raised cattle that are massaged and played classical music to whilst grazing to produce fine wagyu beef.
Kathy’s closest friends are Ruth and Tommy (solid outings from Matilda Bailes and Angus Imrie). They share dreams and lead lives which to them are normal and seemingly accept their futures. That is until a life extension dangles tantalisingly in front of them – is it fact or fable?
Kathy is a ‘Carer’ when we meet her – that is someone who takes other clones through their various times of organ donation. Her first charge is Phillip (Maximus Evans) who arrives with his little bag of hospital clothes, toiletries and questions which she deftly deals with.
The rest of the company play numerous roles with confidence and credibility all of which are interwoven into the jumping jack time zone of the story.
It was exhilarating to witness the birth of such a unique new play. I’m sure ‘Never Let Me Go’ is bound for a stint in the West End and will be around for many years to come.
Despite the conspiracy theorists I met in the bar at the interval, I don’t think human cloning is quite with us yet. I hope iy never is – humans, as we see on the news every day, are sadly not to be trusted!
In a nutshell ‘Never Let Me Go’ is a strong, challenging and disturbing tour-de-force.
Never Let Me Go runs at Malvern until Saturday, November 2. Click here for times, tickets and more information.
*****
