On Stage: Timon of Athens

A new production of Timon of Athens playing at Theatre Works is one of those plays where a little research before attending may be useful.

This is especially so if your knowledge of the Shakespeare play is non-existent or a little sketchy!

The play, published in the early 1600s and believed to have been co-written with Thomas Middleton, tells of the extremely wealthy Athenian Timon who wines, dines and magnanimously funds the elite under the blissful delusion that humanity is inherently good. But when he runs out of money he discovers this isn’t the case.

The 85-minute show playing at Theatre Works comes from Th’ Unguarded Duncan, a creative collaboration between Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls renowned for working on lesser-known Shakespeare plays in collaboration with the Prague Shakespeare Company.

They have set their production in a high-class restaurant. Here Timon (Jovanna Hepburn) happily lavishes friends with money and gifts. Those friends, including Lucullus (Tony Rive), Lucius (Scott Jackson), Sempronius (Seon Williams) and Ventidius (Anthea Davies), happily accept Timon’s generosity.

Only Apemantus (James Cerche), a self-described cynic and philosopher, recognises Timon’s friends really aren’t so. He warns Timon about this and his excesses but Timon ignores him.

The only person who truly knows Timon is bankrupt is loyal steward Flavius (Helen Hopkins). Despite Flavius’ numerous warnings Timon only accepts he is bankrupt  when creditors demand their loans be repaid.  After his ‘friends’ refuse to lend him any money Timon is declared bankrupt and ends up living in a cave (in this production a skip bin). On searching for food Timon discovers a great amount of gold.

The play then follows what he does with his discovery which includes funding Alcibiades (Nick Crawford-Smith) for his war on Athens and interactions with others who come to visit him before his ultimate death.

Despite the modern setting which includes cameras and mobile phones the production still has its roots in Shakespearean language.

On opening night the cast of 11 did an excellent job in bringing that language to life.  Leading the way was star of the Prague Shakespeare Company Hepburn who excellently portrayed the range of emotions experienced by her character.

According to Hopkins and Nicholls they decided to base their play in a high-class restaurant as: “This tumultuous environment can reflect the world of Timon.

“It’s highly charged, its future precarious and one of the hardest hit industries when a society is in economic crisis,” they explain.

“We think audiences will be surprised by how relatable the subject matter is in light of the current cost of living crisis and general global malaise.”

Warm applause from members of the opening night audience indicated that they did relate to the play.

Timon of Athens is playing at Theatre Works until November 7.  Visit the Theatre Works website for more information and tickets.

Jenny Burns attended the opening night of Timon of Athens as a guest of the production company.

*Photo credit: Andrew Cullimore