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2012
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London,
Liz Hoggard's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Melly Still.
Cast: Rory Kinnear, Adjoa Andoh, Tom Andrews, Ken Bones, Donatella Cabras, Billy Carter, Elliot Cowan, Conor Doyle, Barbara Flynn, John Heffernan, Peter Hinton, Derek Howard, Pieter Lawman, Jane Leaney, Tommy Luther, Katherine Manners, Rob McNeill, Pamela Merrick, Simon Nagra, Rick Nodine, Jamie Parker, Richard Shanks, Ross Waiton, Lizzie Winkler
Description: A Jacobean drama by Thomas Middleton exploring moral and political decay within a royal court. With Rory Kinnear as Vindice. Directed by Melly Still.
Trains: Tube/BR: Waterloo 
Phone: 0207452 3000
Website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=1541
Say aargh: Vindice (Rory Kinnear, left) and Hippolito (Jamie Parker) get their own back on the Duke (Ken Bones, centre)
It's easy to get complacent about going to the theatre on Saturday night, comatose, even, after a bottle of red wine and supper. But the four-minute opening scene of The Revenger's Tragedy is enough to throw you out of your seat - literally - as cavorting naked bodies rush the stage to thundering techno beats.
Melly Still's modern- dress reworking of Thomas Middleton's 1606 play is Jacobean theatre for the club generation. The revolving stage is treated like a mosh pit by designer Ti Green. The costumes - skinny jeans, glitter trainers - scream fashion victim.
The play hasn't been staged in London for 40 years, but with its graphic scenes of sex, violence, incest and rape (we see a female victim "roasted", calling to mind the worst sort of footballers' party), it puts tiresome "shock" films like Donkey Punch in the shade.
We first meet Vindice mourning the death of his betrothed - poisoned by the Duke for declining his amorous advances. Seeking vengeance, he enters the court in disguise. Once installed, his first task is secure a virgin for the Duke's son. It turns out that the girl is none other than his own sister - which means he first has to " corrupt" his own mother into giving her up.
As the bodies pile up - and the sexual nastiness defies belief - you know you're not in for a subtle evening. Still throws everything in but the kitchen sink - puppets, dumbshow and masquerade; fleshy Renaissance frescoes; a dazzling Italian countertenor. Minimalists should keep away. But I defy any teen not to love it (and Travelex tickets are £10).
Rory Kinnear is terrific as Vindice- - in a performance that is just the right side of stand-up - and it's great to see Jamie Parker (Scripps in The History Boys) as his brother. But for me it's veteran TV actress Barbara Flynn who steals the show as the mother tempted by wealth. The way she transforms from penniless frump to corrupt pander (all blow-dry hair and Versace baubles) is fantastic. Personally, I don't believe a word of her repentance.
In rep until 7 August. (020 7254 3000; www.nationaltheatre. org.uk)
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
