The Hairy Ape, The Old Vic ****

In the process of reverting the Old Vic from it's previous in the round space to the current proscenium arch theatre, someone seems to have destroyed the theatre. Where the lighting rig used to be, a horrible chandelier attempts to mask the cracks in the ceiling and the paint on the walls are peeling. The money spent on the unnecessary refurbished front of house should have been spent making this space habitable for an audience. Luckily, the production within it is far greater than the space inwhich it is being performed. Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece about the American class struggle and the need to belong is both touching and enraging in a good way. In what could easily be a counter-piece to the Great Gatsby, O'Neill explores the concept of self- fulfilling prophecy which is extremely prevalent in a poignant and a perfectly produced final scene. Richard Jones has staged this drama in a surrealist world, with a garish set and lighting design from Stewart Laing and Mimi Jordan Sherin that creates an intense and sweat-inducing atmosphere whilst the clever use of choreography from Aletta Collins effectively portrays the ritual beating down of the working classes represented in Yank which becomes more and more painful to watch. Bertie Carvel is a dominating and sad Yank whose need to belong in a world that makes no sense is heartbreaking. It is a masterful and award-worthy performance which captures the pain of words and a bruised masculine ego perfectly. An ensemble cast supports him well, especially the actor that appears in the final scene who creates a character that mirrors Carvel superbly. This is the Old Vic back to creating truly great theatre with yet another fantastic Richard Jones production.