AMY STUTZ
  • Theatre
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Features
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
  • Theatre
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
4K Followers
0 Followers
Subscribe
AMY STUTZ
AMY STUTZ
  • Theatre
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Features
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
  • Theatre

Review | Single Spies | Birmingham Repertory Theatre

  • 19th February 2016
  • One comment
  • 2 minute read
  • Amy
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
'Single Spies' Play by Alen Bennett. Touring Production
Credit: Alastair Muir

Alan Bennett’s Single Spies is a performance of two one act plays centred around Cambridge spies who sought to betray Britain in the 1930s. It is the story of Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt – two members of the Cambridge Five, a group of spies recruited at Cambridge university.

The plays are cleverly written, Bennett has a quick-witted style of writing that combines both humour and subtext to create a play that is highly fitting to the time in which it is set yet appealing to a modern audience.

The first play, An English Man Abroad is a glimpse into the life of Guy Burgess (Nicholas Farrell), a member of the Cambridge spy ring that worked for the Soviet Union who is consequently in exile. He is visited by actress Coral Browne (Belinda Lang) and befriends her in order to get some suits from his tailor back in the UK.

'Single Spies' Play by Alen Bennett. Touring Production
Credit: Alastair Muir

Nicholas Farrell is excellent as the frantic yet charming Guy Burgess, his character appears unkept and slovenly and despite his treachery I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the desperate character. Belinda Lang exudes sophistication as the pretentious actress Coral Browne. Whilst she attempts to understand Burgess, her empathy for him is evident, Lang’s characterisation is exemplary especially in her break out monologues interwined within the scene giving us a deeper understanding of her character’s background.

An English Man Abroad is a touching play about their short-lived friendship and Guy Burgess’ attempts to hold on to his Soviet life. The chemistry between Farrell and Browne is superb, their pacy and wry conversation went down marvelously with the audience.

The second play A Question of Attribution is about the double life of espionage Anthony Blunt as an art historian to Her Majesty the Queen and a soviet spy.

'Single Spies' Play by Alen Bennett. Touring Production
Credit: Alistair Muir

David Robb plays Anthony Blunt, a much drier and and less colourful spy as opposed to Guy Burgess,  although a much cleverer and highly intriguing character. Robb portrays the character as much more reserved which captivates the audience into discovering his motives.

He is interrogated by HMQ herself played by Belinda Lang, Lang’s interpretation of the role is exceptional. Her contrast between both roles in the production is excecuted impeccably showing her admirable versatility as an actress.

A Question of Attribution is a lot heavier than An English Man Abroad and I felt it required a bit of reading up on the subject of the recruiting of the Cambridge ring of spies, as I found myself lost during certain parts of the script.

Single Spies is a witty and charming performance with a highly impressive script and formidable acting.

On until the 27th of February at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, tickets are available here.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Alan Bennett
  • Belinda Lang
  • birmingham repetory theatre
  • Birmingham theatre
  • Birmingham Theatre Review
  • David Robb
  • Performance
  • Play
  • Single Spies
Amy

Previous Article
  • Design

News | Mean Girls – Girl Gang Manchester | Wonder Woman Festival

  • 16th February 2016
  • Amy
View Post
Next Article
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Goodnight Mister Tom | UK Tour

  • 24th February 2016
  • Amy
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Women in Theatre’s ‘Women in Lockdown’

  • 16th November 2020
  • Amy
View Post
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

Sleepless – the new musical about hope, love & magic that we all need right now

  • 26th August 2020
  • Amy
View Post
  • Features
  • Theatre

The West Midlands Work Together on the Arts and Culture Comeback

  • 18th June 2020
  • Amy
Back to the Future musical at Manchester's Opera House review
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Back to the Future | Manchester

  • 12th March 2020
  • Amy
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Poet in da Corner | Birmingham Rep

  • 12th March 2020
  • Amy
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | A Monster Calls | UK Tour

  • 4th March 2020
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Ammar Duffus on Why A Monster Calls Opens up Important Conversations Around Grief

  • 1st March 2020
  • Amy
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | The Prince of Egypt | West End

  • 28th February 2020
  • Amy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Search
about
Amy Stutz
Follow Us
AMY STUTZ
UK Arts, Culture and Theatre Blog

Input your search keywords and press Enter.