Everyman, National Theatre ***

Rufus Norris has officially arrived with his first play as Artistic Director of the National. In this, Norris sends us a fresh reminder of our responsibility for each other with an adaptation by Carol Ann Duffy of the famous morality play. Her adaptation is mostly successful and, whilst her references to modern culture is often misjudged and awkward (like a grandparent saying 'word up to ma mandem'), when she writes on the bigger  picture on subjects such as God and mortality, the text feels as juicy as Shakespeare. In a this production, Everyman is a high flying businessman who likes to enjoy himself with sex, drugs and drink. The cocaine scene feels very theatrical and doesn't have the gritty effect it should have perhaps due to De Frutos' wonderful yet stylized movement that perhaps holds back the message from getting across to the audience. Despite this, the scenes that have a large scale like the party or the storm provides a great atmosphere to the Olivier and, whilst the more intimate scenes feel lost in the space, the whole piece still maintains the power. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives an exhausting yet fantastic portrayal of Everyman and is backed by a terrific ensemble. I am not totally convinced by this flawed production but it still packs a punch which is impressive to see.