“If We Say That We Have No Sin, We Deceive Ourselves, and There’s No Truth in Us.” Doctor Faustus, Duke of York Theatre, London 25.4.2015

On a late Saturday evening Graham and I were enjoying Saturday night television, one programme that we watched was Jonathon Ross show who had Kit Harrington on the sofa, discussing his new upcoming return to the West End. Amazingly Kit took Graham’s interest who openly admitted he would go and see this play, and me being me took up the offer right there and then, and within 2 minutes tickets were purchased!

I wasn’t aware until the following morning that I had purchased tickets for the Gala Night meaning the opening night of the play, following its previews. This would be the first time I had ever been to a press night for a show so I was very intrigued and excited as to how it goes, and whom we may see. So on the 25th April I was off to meet Graham in London, and after a quick bite to eat, we walked onwards to the theatre. We had to collect our tickets from the box office, and once arrived already the red carpet was laid out with press, and on lookers present awaiting the arrivals of the celebrities. The play was due to start at 19.00 so we stepped into the foyer to grab our tickets, unfortunately we were not allowed to stay downstairs so we headed to the upstairs bar, they said that you would be able to see everything happening from the balcony but sadly that wasn’t the case and all we could hear were names being shouted by the press and the flashes from the camera. I did get glimpses of west end performers Rob Houchen, and Natham Amzi though, but I wasn’t to dishearten as I knew I would get a chance to explore at the interval.

This was the first time that I visited the Duke of York Theatre, having past it many times, similar to the Vaudeville theatre it is one that has many different plays/shows performing all year round on limited runs. We were seated in the Upper Circle, as this was the only area that had tickets in our price range! I believe the most expensive seats are in the stalls priced over £90, but we were happy with our Row E seats 11, and 12 at the price of £35, and  wasn’t disappointed with our view, as you can see from the photo it is a smaller theatre of London but nonetheless our view was not obstructed except for when the couple in front wanted to have a cuddle or head on shoulder moment, then it got irritating. We waited for a little while and then noticed a someone on the stage who started hoovering, after a few minutes of cleaning the apartment setting, a door opened in the corner and there sitting on the toilet was Kit Harrington who strolls out the bathroom and places himself at the end of the bed engulfed in the TV while the audience looked on for the play to start. I was quite cheeky and took an oppourtunity to take a few snaps of the stage, but if you are ever interested in a play that is performing at the duke of York then don’t be put off by the Upper Circle as you can see from the photos.

Doctor Faustaus is a Marlowe’s play that tells the tale of an academic who sells his soul, and signs a pact with Mephistopheles that after 24 years of the high life, fame and fortune as a Celebrity Magician will then be condemned to life in hell. Now from that synopsis you can tell that this is going to be dark from the start and from the beginning of the play Faustaus is surrounded by naked figures, transvestite angels and other fellow demons wearing dirty undergarments including the devil himself Lucifer in his underpants. The play at first is Faustus’s focus on whether he should sell his soul, or remain the person he is today. Choosing to make the deal we then follow Faustaus and Mephistopheles (who follows Faustaus as he personal servant but also to keep watch on his ways and sticks to the deed he has in hand with Lucifer) through their fame and performances.

The main question director Jaime Lloyd wants the audience to focus on in this production is ‘what does it mean to sell your soul in the modern age?’ for Faustus it is the sacrifice of Love by his faithful student Wagner for the life of celebrity, and to then realise that fame is not always the way and love is all he needed. Sadly it is to late for Faustus the deed is done and the years are counted we end on him frantically trying to find a solution, to the extent that he is driven insane, and madness which leads to murder and rape, but he is condemned to hell, and that is where he goes.

Very dark as you can see, and I warn you this play is not for everyone, with nudity, bodily fluids (sick, and blood), Rape, and abuse you need an open mind to view. For Graham as he puts it if it made him continue to think about it the next day then for him it was a very good play, and I do agree.

The performers tonight were as follows:

Wagner – Jade Anouka

Good Angel – Tom Edden

Valdes – Danielle Fleet

Cornelius – Brian Gilligan

Faustus – Kit Harrington

Lucifer – Forbes Masson

Mephistopheles – Jenna Russell

Evil Angel – Craig Stein

Ensemble – Garmon Rhys, Gabby Wong.

A very small cast as you can see but they worked so well together and mad props to them who in some ways could feel vulnerable to what they have to perform on the stage, and wear not everyone would be so willing but they were all very professional.

Kit Harrington the A list celebrity as you could probably tell of the cast, Jon Snow in Game of Thrones he had a lot of fans follow him, I was upset to see so many reviewers ridicule him claiming that the only reason he is in it is to get the sales and that his performance was not that good. But to me I saw a different side to him, and others seem to forget that his first gig was in the west end (played Alfred in the Original Cast of WarHorse) so it wasn’t as if it was a new scene for Kit.  He performed Faustaus very well showing the desperation of a man who just wants to be known, to then loving his life and then have it crubble down with the realisation of his ways. Throughout we can see his transition of personalities and you focus on him, wanting to know what he would do next.  Yes there is the cheeky bum moment which already many have seen in GoT and the topless scenes but you don’t go there just for that but to hear his characters story. I think the reviewers need to focus more on what they are watching rather than ‘oh its just anouther celebrity on the stage to get the sales’

other mentions have to go to Jenna Russell, well known to the West End Stage, I loved her rendition of Mephistopheles and the power she held to the audience, she brought entertainment and comedy to the role, and she can sing a note or two, with her amazing karaoke of the songs based on the Devil, I loved watching her. Lucifer played by Forbes Masson was very twisted with his portrayal of the Devil himself, although not looking too shabby but more like a man who just likes to sit on the sofa in his underwear eating and watching the TV, you see him throughout as if a shadow over Fautaus, he was very creepy in parts which I’m sure he was trying to play it that way, with luming in the back and smiling to what he was watching as if mocking Faustaus for making his decisions, I got to see him at the stage door and took a quick photo, a complete transistion from what you see on stage!

Other notices need to go to the Good Angel, performed by Tom Edden, I really enjoyed his scene where he performed the 7 deadly sins, turning into each one and performing them one by one to Faustus informing that everyone has sinned once in their life.

Again the whole cast worked so well together to bring this play an eerie powerful feel, and although twisted in parts it made you walk away and think. Again remember this play is not for everyone, but if you are a GoT fan or like horror, thriller films then I can see you enjoying this, if your looking for a comedy and a feel good maybe try something different.

Now with being press night I was lucky enough to have a wonder round in the interval, and with that saw many familiar faces that appear on our television such as Phil Jupitus who I saw in the bar, and the Nigel Harmen in the foyer, and Ian Hislop (Have I Got News for You). I also didn’t realise until the end of the play that I embarrassed myself in front of Gary Kemp, but that’s another story. As you can imagine though being that Kit Harrington was performing there was many GoT actors and actresses about and I was lucky to catch a quick photo with Alfie Allen, Natalie Dormar and Rose Leslie were also amongst the audience but with the public (who didn’t come and see the play) bombarding them they made a quick escape in the taxi as soon as they could. I waited for Kit to leave the Stage door (Grahams first time with me) as I didn’t want to miss out on a chance of seeing him but again there was a crowd so it was just a signature on the programme which I more than happy to settle with, and deemed it a successful night, and will be more inclined to book press nights more often if I do go and see a chance to see an opening of a show again.

It was an amazing date night with Graham and I’m so happy that he is starting to open up more about attending the theatre with me, and now knowing he is more inclined to plays it just opens up a lot more options for me! Watch this space!

Doctor Faustus plays at the Duke of York’s Theatre until 25 June can book tickets here