Review: Theatre in the Quarter presents James on tour in Chester

Oct 15 2010 by Naomi Dunning, Chester Chronicle

JAMES/Bishops’ Bluecoat High School, Chester

REVIEW/by Naomi Dunning

THEATRE in the Quarter’s latest production James is considerably darker and more serious than many of their previous productions.

The play is based on the life of King James I of England and VI of Scotland, a monarch who often slips through the net of one’s history lessons. Many would have read the King James I Bible, an authorised version which he commissioned and have heard of the gunpowder plot.

This production was actually commissioned by the King James Bible Trust as part of a nationwide celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible in 2011.

The play, which I saw at Bishops Bluecoat High School has a Christmas Carol type structure in that James is revisiting moments in his past in a pre-death delirium and is taken on the journey by a spirit. The spirit is actually that of Agnes Sampson, who was put to death by James for being a witch.

Helen Newall’s script is very word heavy, and does require quite a lot of concentration to fully appreciate everything that is going on.

Some of the actors speak very quickly and I am sure there are numerous references, and humorous lines within the text which the audience miss due to the sheer volume and speed at which they are delivered.

The actors are in fact incredibly good and deal with this complex script very well. Both Michael Cole who plays James and Melissa Daly who plays Agnes really stand out and capture the angst, despair and humour in the play. Daly’s portrayal of Agnes is both spooky and sweet as she tries to make James understand his past. Coles’ James is arrogant and fearful as he watches is life unravel in front of him.

As with many other of Theatre in the Quarter’s production they have used a community choir as a chorus and translator. Musical director Matt Baker has produced music which reflects the atmosphere in the production and it is very dark, haunting and chant like.

Unfortunately the balance of sound wasn’t quite right and often the choir was too loud and the actors who were trying to speak over the top of it couldn’t be heard. The choir was also split into two sections, low and high and as we were sitting closer to the left we heard much more of the lower section than the high.

The music, although atmospheric, was very similar all the way through and sometimes it was difficult to understand the words and therefore get the full meaning of the songs.

Theatre in the Quarter decided to use video to add to the dream sequences in this production. These were dark and atmospheric and clearly conveyed James’s confused state. However the screen was small, and it was difficult to see exactly what was going on, in fact I think some audience members may have missed the video completely as they were focussing on what was happening on the stage.

This production portrays the life of a monarch many know little about, and brings to life the trauma of witch hunts, assassination attempts and the construction of this world renowned version of the bible.

Those who know about this period in history will be able to fully appreciate this detailed script, younger audience members and those who know little of King James and his history, may find it however a bit of a struggle.

James can be seen at the following venues:

October 17 – St Laurence’s Church, Frodsham. Ring 01928 733378;

October 19-20 – Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (Lady Chapel). Ring 0151 702 7255;

October 21-22 – St John the Baptist Church. Ring 0845 241 7868;

October 23 – Trinity Methodist Church, Ellesmere Port. Ring 0151 355 1294.

All performances start at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm).