American Justice ? Arts Theatre, London

Writer: Richard Vergette

Director: Lisa Forrell

Reviewer: Emily Pearce

The Public Reviews Rating:

American Justice takes place over an 8 year period of the Obama administration in an American prison. Serving a life sentence for murder, a prisoner is taught to read by the victim?s father, a Congressman ? but what starts as a typical prison drama quickly becomes a tantalising intellectual and political game of cat and mouse ? that never lets up through its short 72 minute running time.

The play relies heavily on the excellent and immersive performances by the two leads, Ryan Gage and Peter Tate; one symbolising reason and rationality, the other; destruction and hate?or so we are led to believe. The development of the relationship between the two characters is pivotal to the play?s progression, and, for the most part, done exceptionally well (minus a couple of accent slips). Ryan Gage is sublime throughout; allowing the audience to be both horrified, yet sympathetic to this wholly unlikeable character, that then develops into something very different, but not necessarily any less dangerous, by the third act. Peter Tate as John Daniels seemingly provides the foil to Fenton?s violent outbursts, in a mature and convincing turn ? his fervour at the redemption of man turning into something quasi-religious.

There is strong support throughout by David Schaal (from The Inbetweeners fame), as prison ward Herb Stevens, providing an alternative voice to the Congressman?s liberal views, often delivering the funniest lines. However, at times, the character?s writing does feel rather one-dimensional, his part more there as a plot device to provoke.

The play argues that knowledge and education are power, but not necessarily freedom, or the road to morality. It makes for persuasive viewing; short and succinct, the audience left wanting more.

Signe Beckmann?s sparse and gloomy design works well with the writing, although it would have aided the action if it were a little sturdier. As is expected in a prison drama, there are plenty of slammed doors, and it would have been preferable for the entire set wall not to tremble precariously whenever this happened, to the audience?s mirth.

It would be interesting to see this play in a couple of weeks, once settled further into the run. The writing naturally lends itself to diverse interpretation; what is already a compelling evening at the theatre, will only become more so.

Runs until 9th February

Tags: American Justice, Arts Theatre, David Schaal, Lisa Forrell, Peter Tate, Richard Vergette, Ryan Gage

This entry was posted on January 17th, 2013 at 12:09 am and is filed under Drama.

Source: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/american-justice-arts-theatre-london/

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