Funeral Games - Paper Zoo Theatre Company's homage to Orton
Paper Zoo marked the 40th anniversary of Joe Orton’s untimely death with their delicious production of his final play, Funeral Games, staged for three performances from 8th - 10th May 2007 in Studio 4 of our Old Building. Time has not diminished the wicked wit of this dark uncompromising satire, whose victims are religion, reputation and hypocrisy as much as the decaying body in the coal cellar.
Paper Zoo Theatre Company was formed in 2005 by staff and graduates from our Performing Arts Department. PZ’s trademark accessibility, innovation and superb acting were once again in evidence and their exquisite take on Funeral Games made it clear that this is now a company of peers.
Ben Eagle was a revelation as the cynical preacher Pringle, his rich voice and assured manner dominating every scene as the ecclesiastical egomaniac. He was by turn reassuring but repulsive, a kind of Aled Jones on acid. Martin Knowles' subtle performance revealed not only imminent danger but a loutish innocence in the thug Caulfield in comparison to the corrupt clergymen Pringle and McCorquodale. Kate Shackleton impressed as Pringle’s absurd, buttoned-up wife falsely accused of adultery for her ministrations to McCorquodale, while Stuart Davies utterly inhabited the frailty and seediness of the defrocked priest McCorquodale.
Funeral Games was directed with pace and verve by multi-talented Laura Milnes, seen recently as Viola in Twelfth Night. Laura was also responsible for set design, lighting and sound and costume advice. She will be taking up a coveted place at the Central School of Speech & Drama in London in the autumn and she has been concentrating on work with Paper Zoo and employment with theatrical costumiers Homburgs to broaden her experience until then.
Laura’s creative masterstroke was to introduce another dimension in the manifestation of the Brotherhood (who are only alluded to in the script) into two sickly but sinister individuals whose presence underlined the amoral power of the cult Pringle leads, before revealing themselves as undercover policemen at the denouement. Using this device in and before the play maximised the impact of Orton’s 60 minutes. The Brotherhood greeted disconcerted playgoers in character, alerting them to the pseudo religious and irreverent context of what they were about to witness, and led community singing of the Brotherhood Hymn, a terrific spoof penned by Milnes, over refreshments before the show. David Peel and Damien O’Keeffe were a joy to behold as the Brotherhood, whether as a silent but eloquent presence during the drama or hilariously lipsyncing to the Beatles during scene changes.
You can see more of the action in our Highlights Gallery
Disciples of Paper Zoo only have to wait until July for their next outing, Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, which will be performed in the grounds of Bradford Cathedral. If you would like to be kept up to date with Paper Zoo’s work please email paperzoomarketing@hotmail.co.uk and put ‘keep me updated’ in the subject heading.