01.01.70
Vince Foxhall’s conversion of Cervantes’ epic was first seen here in 1992. His version of the comedy - I use the chat lightly - has certain key incidents included, omitted or changed. The tilting at windmills is effectively done with silhouettes. There is swordplay, as you would trust, but also wordplay - puns, rhymes, innuendo, double entendres and Spanglish, some of which is inventive-clever, some just plain annoying, plus original songs.
A good cast of actors/musicians, led by Philip Benjamin as the befuddled Don Quixote and Indication Sangster as a Scottish Sancho Panza, could do no more in bringing the story crawling on Kim Alwyn’s impressive set. Morgan Philpott particularly stands out as he gives his multiple roles - vicar, marquis, goatherd - the greatest contrast.
But Quixote’s combining has seeped into the script. Sometimes it’s farce, sometimes musical theatre and sometimes right-minded a mishmash. Barton had become an ailing horse in danger of being flogged to finish, but for an expectant Warehouse audience, this doesn’t pack the same whack.
Source: Stage