Vernon God Little
Having read the book a few months previous to seeing the play, my expectations were high. Luckily I was not to be disappointed.
Set in the hot and dusty state of Texas, 16 year old Vernon is wrongly accused of a high school masacre and is now on the run. Everyone from the dodgy salesmen to the broadcasters asking viewers to vote the next death
row victim to be executed, are out to exploit the catastrophic situation.
Rufus Norris' portrayal manages to capture the tragedy of the situation and also the comedy of Pierre's characters. The plays context makes a real comment on American society, portraying a social satire, as serious incidents are turned into a mockery.
The stage was beautifully lit, particularly during the prison scene with blue washes creating a cold and clinical atmosphere. This was accompanied by a beautiful rendition of 'Dem Bones' a traditional spiritual melody originally from Africa. The use of set was also interesting to watch with sofas on wheels which adapted into cars and a camper van which flipped into a mexican bar. The rearrangement of set was very styalised which meant slick and fast scene changes and using a raked stage enabled the audience to view all the action from
different angles.
The doubling up of characters was cleverly done as well. Mariah Gale who played the two polar oppostite women in Vernons life, particularly managed to portray two very strong apposing personalities so much so that I only clocked it was the same actor half way through the
performance.
Unfortunately the play has now finished its run at the Young Vic, but if revived again in the near future, its definately a must see ,as the adaptation is fantastic.
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