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Henry Hitchings's rating
, Kurt and Sid: trials of artistry without the art
By
Henry Hitchings
15 Sep 2009
Sid Vicious was 21 when he fatally overdosed on heroin in 1979, and Kurt Cobain 27 when he shot himself after taking the same drug 15 years later.
Though their talents were of very different magnitude, their lives and deaths were linked by a strand of rock star delinquency.
In Roy Smiles’s counterfactual play, Sid pays a visit to the Nirvana front man as he contemplates killing himself. Kurt is tired of the attentions of the media and the misappropriation of his music. “Just because you’re paranoid don’t mean they’re not after you,” groaned the real Kurt Cobain, and here the stench of justified anxiety is palpable.
When Sid averts Kurt’s suicide, an abrasive debate begins. Initially, the focus is the nature of the visitation: is this Sid a ghost, well-informed imposter or figment of Kurt’s imagination? He certainly seems more articulate than the Sex Pistols’ blundering bassist ever was — and is a moralist to boot, even spouting Latin epigrams.
Kurt is at first hostile to the intrusion, but slowly an understanding develops between the two men. They discuss the price of fame, their drug problems and their emotional entrapments. While Smiles’s script contains some smart lines, there are too many ploys to earn cheap laughs, the exploration of the penalties of genius seems adolescent, and the fundamental premise feels weak.
Tim Stark’s production is conscientious — though a segment in which the two musicians listlessly play ping pong suggests a director fumbling for ideas — and Cordelia Chisholm’s design is detailed, if too extravagantly cluttered for this small space.
As an actors’ piece, the production mostly works. Shaun Evans convinces as the hypersensitive, self-deprecating Kurt. As Sid, Danny Dyer is hungrily charismatic, displaying plenty of his familiar geezerish braggadocio but also an appealing sensitivity.
Neither character in the end appears admirable, and indeed it’s an odd achievement on the part of Smiles to make Sid Vicious marginally more engaging than Kurt Cobain.
However, the real frustration is the absence of the music at the centre of the drama. Imagine a play about Vincent van Gogh in which we didn’t see a single one of his canvases. It’s easy enough to fathom the reasons why the music can be used only incidentally, but the fact remains that this is a drama about the trials of artistry which doesn’t really show us the art for which it is supposed to have been worth suffering.
Until 3 October. Information: 0844 871 7632.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (7)
An artistic and well written piece of work supported by superb performances from both actors. Considering the size of the venue and the controversial nature of the context it cannot be an easy task to portray these two icons in such a believable and thought-provoking manner. Well done to all involved.
- Bryony, Southampton, 30/09/2009 17:02
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I saw this and thought it had some good qualities. I liked the performance of Danny Dyer. However, there seemed to be a problem with the characterisation. I found the character of Kurt very unsympathetic. There is a point here about the music not being used. Yes it's played a handful of times, but it is not part of the play and the sense that Kurt is a musician of genius is never developed. Instead we hear him whining interminably. I would have thought a more interesting approach would have been to make more of the musical connections. In the end the play has some good things in it but feels a bit pointless. What was the thinking behind it? It's difficult to imagine. I do agree with the person who posted saying that the venue is very intimate and makes a change from the impersonal West End stagings.
- Simon Pears, London, 22/09/2009 10:19
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Aside from the main reviewer's factually incorrect point about the "absence of the music" - those Nirvana songs were certainly there, and appreciated, last Thursday - I think that all of the above comments are fair, and far more informed than many other "reviews" around. Whilst this isn't a great play, it does articulate well the Grunge and Punk sensibilities within the Cobain character as he wrestles with his "To be or not to be" dilemma. The tiny space and accomplished acting made for an intimate and memorable experience.
- Andy C, London England, 20/09/2009 23:16
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Myself and members of the family saw this on the preview night 9th September. It was fantastic, the artistry given the small venue and how the two actors were able to embrace the audience whilst at the same time separate them despite their obvious first night anxiety was exemplary. There was sufficient Nirvana music within the play and references throughout to the words of certain songs which Nirvana fans would have picked up on immediately, others may not but that wouldnt really hinder the flow or exceptional acting of Danny Dyer and Shaun Evans given the space they were working within. Its a brilliant play and a must for any Nirvana or Sex Pistols fans.
- Jenny, London, Islington London, 18/09/2009 10:08
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Kurt Cobain took heroin, but he didn't 'die after taking the drug' as such, he shot himself. Just saying. RIP to them both.
- Beckie, London, 18/09/2009 09:08
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Thought you'd like to know there are 3 Nirvana songs in this show, shame the critic couldn't hear Kurts unforgettable voice.
- David Greg, London, 18/09/2009 09:08
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I saw this last night and it was fantastic, the action between the two actors was great. Danny Dyer was especially very good and showed off his comic timing which a lot of people don't realise he has as well as showing a sensitive side. I would highly recommend going as you are close to the stage unlike the west end theatres that charge a fortune and you still end up miles away.
- Lindahf1, london, 18/09/2009 09:08
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