The Whipping Man at the Theatre Royal Plymouth Review
The Whipping Man
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
17 September to 3 October 2015
Reviewed by Helen Wyatt
The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has a conveniently located multi-storey car park in close proximity. It is well lit and staffed. There always appear to be plenty of spaces for shows at the theatre. It is a modern and well-presented in the middle of Plymouth. It is open and light due to the number of windows. It does not feel like an intimidating building to walk into. The theatre also boasts a large amount of art which is on display and available for purchase. The theatre and all areas I visited were clean and well kept. The theatre is quiet in the lobby, which allows a level of relaxation before any show, however once I had entered the space where the play was being shown, there was a clear buzz of anticipation, and perhaps even excitement. Alll staff we encountered were polite and helpful.
The Whipping Man is a 3 man show, focussing on the events immediately following the American Civil War in the Deep South. The play explores the relationships between slave and master, and what that meant in the light of the abolition of slavery.
I was expecting this show to be very heavy and not very enjoyable but I was very pleasantly surprised. The 3 actors all come with decent acting history, including Gary Beadle (playing Simon) who is well known for such performances as Paul Trueman in Eastenders, Sope Dirisu (playing John) who has been in such well known TV shows as Humans, and James Northcote (playing Caleb) who boasts parts in the Imitation Game and Wuthering Heights, amongst others.
Before the show had even started, the atmosphere was being created with a storm soundtrack, and lighting that replicated moonlight. The stage depicted the inside of a once grand house, damaged by time and neglect. The clever mounting of the raised floor of the house showed some of the ground beneath, exposing mud, bricks and other detritus.
Gary Beadle played a strong character in Simon, an ex-slave caring for his ex-master’s house for reasons that become clear later in the show. His Deep South American accent did not waver once throughout the show, and the emotion he portrayed through his movements and facial expressions was wonderful.
Sope Dirisu played an excellent John, the ex-slave child (now a young man) in the family, who is somewhat badly behaved. He was entirely believable as a young American from the Deep South and had great comedy timing.
James Northcote opened the show as Caleb, a young soldier from the Civil war, injured and returning to his family home for help. James’ American accent did waver at times (when you could tell that he was English through and through!) but he did a sterling job otherwise, playing an ex-master of the two ex-slaves he was presented with in a situation where he needed to rely on them.
Of note was the leg “amputation” – it was executed unexpectedly on stage with great after effects.
In addition, the show was unexpectedly funny, counterbalanced with serious emotion. I was very satisfied with both the theatre and the show and would definitely recommend this as a show to see.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £10.70 to £14.70 (booking fees may apply).
The Whipping Man is at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth until 3 October 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01752 267222.
Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR | 01752 267222
