The Life and Times of Fanny Hill at Bristol Old Vic Review

Posted on: 2015-02-17

Our rating:

The Life and Times of Fanny Hill is adapted for the stage by April de Angelis which was itself adapted from John Cleland's 1749 erotic novel, and is a raucous and ribald production with an excellent cast at the top of their theatrical game.



The Life and Times of Fanny Hill - adapted for the stage by April de Angelis which was itself adapted from John Cleland's 1749 erotic novel - is a sexy, bawdy and hugely entertaining piece of theatre.

It's not many shows that have orgasms sung as songs and crude, profane language peppered liberally throughout, but this is an adaption of a controversial - and once banned - novel that doesn't pull any punches.

 

It takes a skilled, proficient crew of creative talent and good performers to create an effective, often moving mix of darkness, light, affecting human drama and knock-about farce, but Caroline Quentin as Fanny Hill and the rest of the ensemble achieve the balance impeccably.

The story traces the trials and tribulations of young girl Frances - the titular Fanny - who ends up getting lured into a brothel, falls in love, runs away, only to have their love affair hastily cut short by her lover's family.  After that, she winds up back on the streets and plunged once again into the seedy world of prostitution.

The sex scenes could have been uncomfortable and cringe-worthy, but director Michael Oakley handled them with skill and aplomb as song and dance routines (songs written by Pete Flood of folk group Bellowhead). It made them funny, light-hearted, whimsically boisterous and show-stopping highlights. 

Quentin was a delight from the minute she appeared on stage, a dominating presence, impulsive and sharp as a tack as Fanny, making a story that's effectively about turpitude and impropriety with decidedly dark overtones alternately moving and hysterical. Fanny in her formative years was played by the excellent Gwyneth Keyworth, and Phoebe Thomas of TV's Holby City also adds solid support.  

Andrew D Edwards' sets were made up of low lighting, evocative wisps of smoke and gloomy warehouse-style staging interspersed with the occasional hedonistic and lavish boudoir set.

A raucous and ribald production with an excellent cast at the top of their theatrical game. 

5/5

Reviewed by Marilyn Caddick for 365Bristol the leading events and entertainment website for Bristol
 



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.