ED2012 3/5 Reviews ED2012 Theatre Reviews

The Death Of Chatterton (Young Pleasance)

By | Published on Friday 31 August 2012

Thomas Chatterton tragically took an overdose at seventeen, thereby depriving the world of the blaze of his talent before it reached its potential. So goes the accepted version, which is challenged by James Pardon’s far less innocent portrayal of the poet: flamboyant, charming, sexually driven and ambitious. Alongside there is the intriguing development of a relationship between a similarly charming student and his mentor, played by James Colenutt with a dignified wit and reservation beyond his years. But most of the actors are good at showing their quirky character traits. It’s a lengthy piece, however, and there’s so little substance that they have to spice it up with sensationalist conjecture. An intriguing picture of celebrity, conveyed with the live-fast-die-young mantra in mind.

Pleasance Courtyard, 3-18 Aug, times vary
tw rating 3/5 | [Lia Sanders]



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