Theatre Review - THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

A moving story about compassion in a bleak existence, set first in Naples 1606, as painter Caravaggio creates his first painting since killing a man in Rome. Then we are returned to present day where grandfather Leon tries to impart his self-taught knowledge of art to his grandson as the only legacy he can afford. The painting ‘The Seven Acts of Mercy’ has particular resonance to Leon and his Grandson Micky and demonstrates how great art whispers its meaning across time.  Written by Anders Lustgarten, it pulls no punches and is full of strong language and contains a small amount of partial nudity.

The sparse staging was by Tim Swinton (with the exception of a large LCD screen that projected the painting at different stages), which seemed to emphasise the importance of the acts of compassion in an otherwise dark world.  Directors Tony Childs and Mark Burden have created a production that was electric, compelling and something that will stay with you long after the last bow. 

The characters are powerful, even some of the smaller roles call for a great deal of emotional depth and demand high levels of skill from the actors. Each character on the stage was masterfully executed. To say the cast was strong is an understatement.  Leon Carragher (Keith Wigham), the disheartened grandfather and his more positive grandson, Micky Carragher (Joe Robson) created many strong moments of family understanding, misunderstanding and loving each other as the story fell to a sombre, but uplifting conclusion. I defy anyone to not be moved by their last moments on stage. Most of the characters had their own moments of dark comedy which helped to lighten the mood a little but Prime (Callum Mawston) and Razor (JimSimpson) brought an odd liveliness as the petty criminals who revel in the sinister world they reside in. Who could not love Dennis (Gordon Mounsey), retaining his dignity as best he can in difficult circumstances, or the passionate but realistic Sandra (Frances Holland).  Funded by the subtle Marchese (Steve Robertson) and befriended by Lavinia (Sara Jo Harrison), Caravaggio (Steve Noone), through great pains, creates ‘The Seven  Acts of Mercy’.  Lavinia and Caravaggio had such effective on-stage chemistry, as kindred spirits, it was hard to believe I was not watching RSC members performing.

The Seven Acts of Mercy is on at the People’s Theatre from 10^th to 15^th of February.