REVIEW: WINNER’S CURSE by Daniel Taub with Dan Patterson at Park Theatre 8 Feb – 11 March 2023
‘An entertaining and acute observation of peace making’ ★★★★
Jez Bond's latest directorial addition to the Park Theatre's spring season, is the new play by experienced diplomat Daniel Taub and comedy writer/producer Dan Patterson, and starring long term collaborator, Clive Anderson. It centres on the phrase ‘winners curse’ in diplomacy: the thrill of the pursuit is lost when you win too easily.
The play focuses on two unnamed countries on the verge of a peace treaty. Anderson plays his older self, looking back at his greener younger self, asides to the audience and all. Arthur Conti as Anderson's younger self, tip toes between naivety and over eagerness to entertain. He's a little too aware of the jokes sometimes.
The ensemble is very strong, and the play works best in the whole company scenes. Nichola McAuliffe particularly stands out for her characterisation of Vaslika Krenskaya. A showmanship of comedic timing and a joy every time she walks on stage. There are great moments of humour from Michael Maloney, as Anton Korsakov, when the hypocrisy of peace-making as an action is targeted. Winnie Arhin as Rozhina Flintok gives a strong performance, but her plot seemed all too rushed and inconclusive. Which became frustrating. However, perhaps that's the authentic truth of colleagues. Sometimes you don't know what happened to them.
The set design by Isobel Nicolson incorporates a swivel round which is utilised for comedic effect in several transitions but serves the play with little else. It makes it appear more filmic than staged. The writing by Daniel Taub and Dan Patterson, flows and ebbs. The nonlinear style of audience asides by Anderson, works well to comment on the past actions of these countries.
An entertaining and acute observation of peace making.
Images: Alex Brenner
Park Theatre presents the World Premiere of
WINNER’S CURSE
By Daniel Taub with Dan Patterson
Directed by Jez Bond
Box Office https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/winners-curse
Cast
Clive Anderson, Arthur Conti, Michael Maloney, Greg Lockett, Barrie Rutter, Winnie Arhin, Nichola McAuliffe
Reviewed by Emma Godwin
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