The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, Marylebone Theatre Review
Written by Cathie
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
General warnings: Strong language, themes of suicide, reference to drug abuse, reference to domestic violence and the use of a realistic imitation firearm.
“They call me mad dreamer, a foolish fantasist and a f***ing space cadet.” These harsh words are the opening lines to The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, a one man play based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s tragic comedy story of the same name.
Writer and Director Laurence Boswell has done brilliantly well to adapt this story, moving it from 19th century Moscow to 21st century London. The plot has plenty of witty references to modern politics that divide society, as well as representing East London life and pub culture effectively with a wry humour. The core of the story swiftly unfolds, with the unnamed and unreliable narrator losing all meaning of life, falling into moral nihilism and attempting suicide before dreaming of travelling to a new world. Through this dream experience of paradise, he learns to appreciate life again and strives to do better for himself and his fellow humans. There are enough twists added to this play that it feels invigorating and even more relevant to our modern hectic way of life than otherwise.
Set and Costume Designer Loren Elstein and Lighting Designer Ben Ormerod have worked well to encapsulate the ethereal feeling of this play with minimal props and a plain blue background. This adds to the feeling of uncertainty and dreamlike confusion that the character faces. The use of different lighting effects behind the curtain bring to life the different locations far more effectively than intricate stage backgrounds and really adds to the strangeness of the plot unfolding.
Greg Hicks offers a fabulous study in contradiction throughout this show. Although his character is anything but stable, Hicks is in complete control of the story, stage and audience. He held the audience completely spellbound as we waited to see what strange occurrence would happen next in his tale of woe and hope. His use of nuance was fabulous in creating a layered character who invokes an incredible sense of pathos and compassion. I was thoroughly impressed by all the different accents, cadences and nuances that Hicks used to portray the array of humanity in this plot, with an infectious energy and determination.
This play is quite ghoulish in parts and thoroughly enjoys leaning into humour of the driest kind. Much of the beginning of the plot is intentionally bleak and has parallels with authors such as Sylvia Plath , Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Tennessee Williams. It is not light-hearted or easy relaxed watching and reflects upon dark themes. It is however, a very profound look into despair, hopelessness, paranoia, joy, kindness, rebirth and determination into making your part of the world a little better than it was before. It reminds us that kindness and unity with others should be humanity’s default and greed is frailty of our souls and not our core selves. If you’re a lover of redemptive dramas, expression of faith, Dostoyevsky’s stories or the constant struggle for self-improvement, then I recommend this show for you.
Running at the Marylebone Theatre until 20th April.
If this play’s themes cause you distress, here are several services that can provide support for your mental health:
• SANEline. If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10pm every day).
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day).
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
• Shout. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you can text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.