Reviewed by Nigel Chester
Nottingham Theatre Royal is an absolute joy. There is on street parking that is reasonably priced only a couple of minutes walk away, as well as plenty more car parks close by. The theatre has a well-stocked bar, food is available, including some gluten free, always a plus for me. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is always welcoming.
On to the show, Prism, written and directed by Terry Johnson is based on the real – life and times of the legendary cinematographer, director and photographer, Jack Cardiff.
Set in his declining years, we were introduced to the principal character, Jack (Robert Lindsay) legend in his field of cinematography, but suffering from dementia, is encouraged by his family, to record his exploits and career for his memoirs, he’s not keen on this idea, preferring instead to relive the experiences of his former career.
His carer, Lucy (Victoria Blunt) is introduced, (she’s done the course, 3 days, well, 2½ really), regularly at odds with the family, Son, Mason (Oliver Hembrough), always in the shadow of his father and Nicola (Tara Fitzgerald), one time PA, now wife of 20 years, for allowing Jack to live in the past and project his memories onto those around him.
The list of Jack’s films is truly awesome, The African Queen, The Red Shoes, The Black Narcissus, A Matter of Life and Death. Shots of the stars of the golden screen era, adorn the studio, Sophia (Loren), Audrey (Hepburn), Marilyn (no explanation), Katherine (Hepburn). His magnetic attraction to the women he worked with and professional obsession with the effects of light on his subjects led him to experiment with the effects of prisms, the core component of the camera of the day, led in part by the works of Renoir and Vermeer.
From the set, a garage/studio in Jack’s country home, equipped with cameras, lighting and props from his halcyon days, we were transported to sets and scenarios long gone by, Jack’s memories, remembered or imagined, which were relived for the audience. Family members, Nicola, perpetually Katie (Hepburn), Mason, useless, but sometimes Arthur Miller, Lucy becoming Marilyn.
Carer, Lucy’s apparent lack of skills were compensated by her ability to allow Jack to be himself, to relive the memorable moments of his career, often to the dismay of his family.
Jack’s devotion to the camera in his studio was obvious, the lack of the camera’s prism, necessary for the portrayal of light “The eye of God” becomes obvious, trapped in the mish-mash of past and present, only relieved when his wife obtains one as a gift.
The sets were simple, brilliant, portrayals of homely scenes, screen sirens past, shifting to famous sets “The African Queen” and I can only imagine the pressure that lighting designer, Ben Ormerod must have been under to “get it right” but to his credit, it happened.
The whole cast demonstrated their wealth of experience and expertise, with Robert Lindsay and Tara Fitzgeralds’ credits in stage, TV and film being many fold, the standing ovation at the end of the performance, was more than well deserved
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £17.50 to £39.50 (booking fees may apply).
Prism is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham from 21-26 October 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND
