The Company of Wolves at the New Vic
Angela Carter’s Company of Wolves has been a long time in the making – it was originally planned for 2020 – but now it finally debuts at the New Vic theatre in the round.
Review by Mel Osborne
Co-directed by Theresa Heskins and Vicki Dela Amedume MBE, the show promises a night of fearful suspense.
The Company of Wolves is one of Angela Carters most critically acclaimed works. Back in the 1600s tales such as ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ were used to scare young women to modify their behaviour and if they fell victim to a ‘wolf’ then they only had themselves to blame.
Carter’s novel challenges the trope and in an age of ‘Me too’ this is an engaging topic to explore.
It was previously produced as a play and a radio drama, so this current script is an edit rather than an adaptation. Those familiar with Heskins works will notice a bold change in style compared to previous shows as the production embodies an abstract Nordic style focusing on immersive storytelling, sound and deprivation of senses.
Foley is most commonly used in radio dramas but the background side effects create more gore than could ever be created visually.
(Image: Danielle Bird and Sebastian Charles. Courtesy of Andrew Billington.)
Amedume’s Upswing theatre have co-produced on several New Vic productions including Astley’s astounding adventures.
The theatre in the round is the perfect venue to combine circus and theatre and produce visually stunning, stomach-churning moments.
New Vic regular Danielle Bird is cast as Red. It was refreshing to see Bird take on a role which showed a darker, muted style to her skill set with measured delivery and perfection in her portrayal of a growing young woman.
Lorna Laidlaw as Granny is a vivid storyteller and has the audience hanging on to every word. The ariel performance is out of this world, but the performers make scaling silks look effortless and defy gravity with every move.
From the moment the audience enters the auditorium, the static music on the preamble conveys a feeling of unknown fear and terror.
The portrayal of the wolves is inventive and chilling, don’t expect any Road Dahl style costumes, these wolves are hidden in plain sight. Much like life.
Company of Wolves is a chilling coming of age tale with a difference and rather than act as a warning to young women, empowers the female to throw away the fear into the fire and not take the blame.
Understandably this darker take on a fairytale is not a family show but older teens with an interest in literature will enjoy this exploration of Carters classic work.
As a leap into new territory for Heskins it is a triumph and possibly be a suggestion of more to come of this genre.
5 stars
