We, like many theatre fans, are eager to see Vicky Featherstone’s first production as Royal Court Artistic Director, The Ritual Slaughter Of Gorge Mastromas, so this peep into rehearsals is a tantalising treat.
Featherstone has, of course, been in charge since the summer, but back in June she handed control of the Sloane Square venue over to the writers, stepped back and watched as the creative force behind so much of the new writing venue’s success ran riot with the Open Court season.
But this new play by the writer of multi award-winning musical Matilda, Dennis Kelly, feels like the start of Featherstone’s reign proper, the first chance we get to see her take control of a production.
Kelly’s dark tale spans three decades, from the early promise of the 70s through the unrelenting capitalism of the 80s and 90s, following title character Gorge from innocence to greed as it asks ‘If you could lie without flinching, corrupt without caring and succeed at all costs, how far could you go and how much could you make?’
Among the cast are TMA Award winner and Game Of Thrones alumni Tom Brooke, returning to the Royal Court after appearing in hit play Jerusalem, former Green Wing and Brittas Empire star Pippa Haywood, previously seen at the Court in Wanderlust, and rising star Kate O’Flynn.
Manuel Harlan took his camera into the rehearsal room.