ED2014 4/5 Reviews ED2014 Theatre Reviews

The Tulip Tree (Oriel Theatre Company)

By | Published on Saturday 9 August 2014

A sensitive portrayal of a controversial figure, ‘The Tulip Tree’ is a true account of love in the early life of Enoch Powell. Whatever your opinion of the right-wing politician, this award-winning production peers behind that often misquoted Rivers of Blood speech, to give a very human insight into the man himself. A poet, philosopher and romantic, he sees the rare blossoming of a tree in aristocrat Barbara Kennedy’s garden as a fateful symbol of his love for her. The disillusionment that follows is both painful and convincing to watch. Alexander Shenton’s tight-lipped and reticent Powell is riveting, showing someone who is ultimately isolated by his own intellect and who is very hard not to sympathise with.

theSpace on Niddry Street, until 23 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Laura Gavin]

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