A Clockwork Orange at the Everyman Theatre Liverpool Review

Reviewed by Jan Mellor

I had never been to the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool and once in and to see the ‘open theatre’ set up (similar to that of the Swan Theatre in Stratford upon Avon) I could see why the award winning EV Company had chosen to show their version of A Clockwork Orange here.

The stage set up was perfect – an open square platform edged with ladders and a complete open canvas for the 360 degrees audience to view the performance. Impressive.

The play started with the four main characters on stage and one figure, Alex, playing as a conductor to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with a cut-throat blade in his hand. Dramatic and sinister from the onset. The stage opens up to a ‘cage’ depicting a man in a ‘gimp’ mask slashing a woman, who is screaming. The four pounce on the man and beat him up and then continue with the woman. Throughout these brutal acts the cast are singing which although lightens the scene somewhat seems to heighten the cruelty. Very clever. Next a couple appear and the man is carrying his novel ‘a clockwork orange’. The man is beaten up and the woman attacked and raped by the four-whist singing “We are going to give you what for”. Sinister. Alex is visited by an old teacher (played by a multi-cast member the very talented Richard Bremmer) who warns Alex that he is on the slope of self-destruction – singing “What gets into you all?” Alex takes no heed and next visits an old lady who he murders with a statue of Beethoven. He is taken to prison and serves 2 years trying to be an exemplary prisoner – prisoner number 665321. The governor of the prison suggests that the prisoner should trial the new technique (that rids prisoners of violent thoughts) on Alex to change his ‘evil’ mind and the first act ends with Alex being subjected to a form of torture with horrific visions being shown to him whilst he is strapped up on a board in the air and unable to move. He is continuously throwing up at the scenes before his eyes. This was depicted dramatically as he was tied across the four ladders. Very dramatic.

Coming back to Act 2, Alex was still tied up elevated with his fish bowl helmet on. Music is played to Alex and each time music plays it sends images/links Alex of the horrific scenes he has just witnessed. Now music (one of his passions) makes him vomit as well as violence. The governor and vicar return rejoicing that the experiment has worked and announcing that Alex could now be set free. And so, he returns to his parents, who now no longer want him and have replaced him with a lodger. Alex cannot get angry as this leaves him retching and so he is alone. His old three chums see him and now as policemen beat Alex up leaving him for dead. He is helped by an old man, who Alex soon realises is the man he had beaten up prior to going to jail and whose wife they had attacked. This wife had died following their assault and Alex is traumatised by this and consequently tries to commit suicide – but fails.

Finally, Alex returns to his ‘old’ self but stating how all the evil things he had done in the past were due to him being young and announcing passionately that he now wants to make a fresh start with a girlfriend and a ‘choice’.

This was a thought-provoking, genuine and very clever adaption of the film. The main character Alex (played by the extremely talented George Caple) was portrayed menacingly brilliantly.

I loved it, much more than the film. The audience were all up on their feet applauding ecstatically at the end of the performance (myself included) and rightly so. Each character was played with passion, humour, sarcasm and guts and it was a joy to behold. If you enjoyed the film or just want to see a professional and unique adaption of a dark and poignant story – go and see this in the amazing theatre – whilst you can.

A wonderful re-make of a dark tale.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £10 to £32 (booking fees may apply).

A Clockwork Orange is at the Everyman Theatre from 14 April to 12 July 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or call the box office on 0151 709 4776.

Liverpool Everyman. 5-11 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BH | 0151 709 4776