The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes, Adriano Shapiro November 23, 2008
Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Reviews , trackbackThe revolution in thought in the mid to late seventeenth century, where the supremacy of pure reason was challenged as the sole method of finding out about the world, and gave way to empiricism and experimentation, must have been an exciting time to live. Is the tragedy of Thomas Hobbes his own personal downfall, from tutor to Charles II to outcast, or is it the way in which he lost his intellectual battle with the Royal Society?
This RSC production spends far less time on Hobbes than you’d expect from the title, with Boyle, Hooke and other famous early members of the Society crowding in to present a rich stew of ideas. We have Hooke’s and Boyle’s experiments with vacuums, long speeches about the merits of Facts, and of pure reason, an extended, stylised movement piece on the infighting in the Royal Society (which could certainly be shortened), all against a backdrop of the restoration, and the Great Fire. Perhaps it is the tragedy of Robert Hooke, who starts out as a likely lad, building apparatus for Boyle, becomes the leading light of the Society and plans the reconstruction of London, before his massive ego leads to a fallout with his colleagues.
The cast is the RSC’s other ensemble this year, doing this play, The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice. James Garnon and Angus Wright stand out as actors and servants, and I’ll be keeping an eye on Jack Laksey who was very convincing as Hooke. The characters are all male though Boyle is played by Amanda Hadingue. She is fine, but the script demands this for a reason that escapes me.
The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes plays at Wilton’s Music Hall, just off Cable St in the East End. This partly restored Victorian music hall is full of faded glory and friendly atmosphere, helped by a cafe serving good, light pre-theatre meals. If you’re hesitant about the play, its worthwhile seeing the place. This runs until December 6.
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