22.98°C A few weeks ago, I was in the Mercury Café when a woman breezed through, picked up a flyer for The Da Vinci Code, and exclaimed, “I don’t know how they’re going to do that on stage!” Then she exited. That’s certainly part of the curiosity around this production: how can Dan Brown’s mega-blockbuster be condensed into a theatrical event?
Well, the short answer is: slick, stylish, and with excellent creativity. Although I was one of the 80 million worldwide readers of the book, I must, in the style of the subject matter, confess that I find the plot total hokum, the coincidences stretched too far, and some of the plot twists obvious. As a theatre lover, however, this co-production with Wiltshire Creative is entertaining and delivers all that fans of the story need.
Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff, who did a superb job adapting Sebastian Faulks’ epic Birdsong, and Duncan Abel, who, together with Wagstaff, has an adaptation of The Girl on the Train touring, they condense the over-plotted book into a mostly successful account.
For much of the first act, the thoroughly committed cast run around the stage and occasionally stop to say, “There’s a double meaning in this.” Joe Bannister is excellent as symbol nerd and reluctant hero Robert Langdon, and he is matched by Georgia-Mae Myers as Sophie Neveu. The relationship between them is skilfully developed, with humour that could take more of a central role. Avoiding spoilers, Philip Bretherton, Joshua Griffin, and Joe Pitts play their parts well, keeping the audience guessing.
But it’s the creatives who take centre stage. The direction by Chelsea Walker is inventive and assured, and the design by Alys Whitehead is simply outstanding, shifting with ease through multiple locations. Sometimes the simplest effect has the greatest impact. Superb video design illustrates the narrative well, and the lighting by Ryan Day is astonishing in places, not least in a beautiful, mystical conclusion to the play. The composition and sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite add layers of atmosphere, and the whole production is a feast for the eyes.
Given the huge amount of exposition, the cast do an excellent job of keeping the narrative going, although in the second half the pace slows and every scene feels a few minutes too long. Lovers of the book and film will find much to enjoy, and this stylish production serves many a theatrical treat.
