The story begins at his early life with his mother to her unfortunate murder when he is shipped off to an orphanage, he is then sold by a priest to a slaver who works in Mombassa, and he becomes the assistant of “yasu” the snake charmer.
Scaramouche's life seems to take you almost through all of the 20th century in different countries in jus over an hour. He is then invited to a masked ball in Venice invited by Mussolini, in which he finds the gypsies he becomes very close to. From the he is captured by the Nazis and taken to a concentration camp as a worker. Here he discovers he can make people laugh, he can make people happy. He was known as the concentration camps clown. His crazy antics kept fear at bay and made people forget about the reason they were really there.
Scaramouche clings to the idea that his father is an Englishman and eventually finds his way to England in which his life begins where he wants it to.
The Acting.
Pete Postlewaite I have to say is an amazing actor, and he pulled of the character of Scarmouche Jones just remarkably. His actions were complimented by these amazing voices which changed each time he changed character. The story of his life was not just sat down and told but it was acted out and made boring, it was bought to life with words and actions and mime. The script was beautifully done and each detail just gave it an extra helping to make the story just that little bit better. Pete Postlewaite is the character that really gives the play its brilliance, his acting is outstanding. Whether its him rolling around on the floor acting out scenes of his mother receiving one of her many clients, or whether its him speaking to us in the many accents of the world, with so much variation, or even if its him just miming, it all adds up to create a masterpiece with Postlewaite inspiration. The high pitched voice of his heavily accented mother who likens her pale faced child to ‘a leetle oyster’ or the Welsh customs man who gives him his surname ‘Jones’ flow from his mouth with such ease and aspiration.
The Setting.
The set is some what similar to a circus tent, the semi-circular plastic seating and the canvas drapes give what the set needs to create a real circus vibe with real circus paraphernalia, to build up imagery and scenery.
The subtle changes of light and smalls sound effects used all contribute to provide the changes of the mood. The effects give the play a sense of danger, despair, loneliness, hurt, happiness and distress.
Through the piece Pete Postlewaite removes his wig, makeup and eventually parts of his costume, exposing a man that really is beneath all of this. “Fifty years to make the clown, fifty years to play the clown…”
A single candle flame which flickers throughout the piece is finally blown out at the very end. This I believe represents the end of Scaramouche Jones.
My view.
The play to me was no other than brilliant, and there is no ways of saying well done Pete you were absolutely amazing!
The piece to me was such a success because it was so totally original but at the same time was a true classic.
The thunderous applause at the end really showed that everyone really did enjoy this, and you will probably find that they were swept away by this piece and emotionally moved.
To sum it all up I have to say the piece was sensational, I don’t think I could show enough appresiation, but I was truly moved by it ad I don’t think I will ever see such a unique piece again.
"A sensational evening..."
"Totally mindblowingly brilliant!"
"Tragic, comical, wonderful"
"Last night was an evening I shall not forget for a long time"
"...a roller-coaster ride of emotion."