If you are not familiar with the story, it is set in Cephalonia in 1941. The story is based around Dr Iannis (Joseph Long) and his daughter Pelagia (Madison Clare). A war has started and the once safe Cephalonia where they live, is now involved in the war, with thanks to Mussolini.
Pelagia is attractive and educated (courtesy of her father, the villages doctor) and attracts quite a few mens eyes. But Pelagia is not keen on marriage “Have you ever seen a happy wife?” That is, until she meets Mandras (Ashley Gayle) who finds himself in her fathers front room needing shrapnel pulled out of his bum, after a circus act with a cannon goes wrong. Mandras goes back to the doctors (Pelagia’s home) every day, bringing gifts of fish whilst saying his injuries still need checking. Pelagia’s father, the doctor, tells Mandras that he is perfectly fine and is just after the affections of his daughter. It isn’t long before they are a couple and Mandras hopes to marry Pelagia when he returns from the war.
Pelagia writes to Mandras daily and after 100 unanswered letters, she believes him to be dead.
Not long after, an enigmatic young Italian officer, Captain Corelli, is posted to the idyllic Greek island as part of the occupying forces. Him and his team move into her house. Taking Pelagias bed and eating their food. Even eating one of the best characters from the show, Pelagias pet goat.
Captain Corelli is shunned by the locals at first, he proves to be civilised, humorous and a consummate musician. The Captain is soon thrown together with Dr Iannis’ strong-willed and beautiful daughter Pelagia, who discovers all the complexities of love, and how it can blossom in the most unexpected and profound way.
I do not want to spoil the whole story, so will stop here, but is Mandras dead? And will the Captain and Pelagia have a happy ever after story when the war is over?
The show has a cast of fifteen actors and singers bringing Louis de Bernières’ beloved novel to life, capturing vivid descriptions of village life and the epic sweep and shifting politics of war. I personally thought the changing of roles by the cast was fantastic. Kate Spencer did a wonderful job of going between the role of Gunter, Soldier and Islander. And Elizabeth Mary Williams as Psipsina, Soldier and Islander.
I fell in love with the story. It was beautifully performed and the stage design was simple but perfect. The music was great and the cast have some amazing voices.
I can usually pick one or two stand out performances but in this production I have to admit that everyone was fantastic and they worked incredibly well as a team. Eve Polycarpou performed with such passion in her role as Drosoula, I almost felt a tightening in my chest at certain parts. Luisa Guerreiro gave the most comical performance as a goat. I was going to say it was the best goat performance that I have ever seen, but I’m unsure I’ve seen anyone else try to impersonate a goat before, so I had to erase that line. Basically, Luisa must have studied goats for a period of time as she nailed her performance. My husband didn’t come along to this performance but tells me I’ve talked a lot about the goat since getting home.
Madison Clare (Pelagia), Alex Mugnaioni (Captain Corelli), Ashley Gayle (Mandras), Ryan Donaldson (Carlo) and Joseph Long (Dr Iannis) all gave inspiring lead performances. They were passionate, captivating and my eyes never left the stage throughout the whole performance.
This stunning new production is directed by Olivier and Tony Award nominee and Rose Associate Artist Melly Still (My Brilliant Friend), adapted by Rona Munro (The James Plays), and includes specially commissioned music by Harry Blake.
It is playing at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until 15th June 2019.
Tickets from £15 each.
Book tickets here: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/captain-corellis-mandolin.html#event-datesTimes
Unsurprisingly it has been announced that it is heading to the West End, so if you are unable to make Birmingham Rep and are London based or heading to London soon, this is a show you should head along to.
It is a show that evokes plenty of different emotions and will leave you thinking about it for days.
Photographs by Marc Brenner.
Disclaimer: I was gifted tickets to see the show. All thoughts and opinions are my own.