Thursday 28th March 2024 at Marlebone Theatre, London.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewer: Charlotte Dorfman
Prolific writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s short story The Dream of a Ridiculous Man was first published in 1877. It isn’t the most light-hearted tale. Dostoevsky’s work famously explores the human condition in the troubled political climate of 19th-century Russia. It is, however, a story that can inspire hope even in the darkest times, which is very much welcomed in today’s climate.
In a contemporary adaptation of Dostoevsky’s story, writer and director Laurence Boswell replaces 19th-century St. Petersburg with 21st-century East London. Greg Hicks is our unnamed protagonist; his life is on a downward spiral. He has gotten his hands on a gun and made plans to commit suicide. At his lowest ebb, he finds himself shouting at a frightened little girl, leading him to realise there are people worse off than him. As he puts the gun down, he falls asleep and dreams of a parallel euphoria where the troubles of the world fall away.
From subtle posture changes to striking dancing, movement director Gary Sefton aids Hicks’ transitions through both real and imagined personas, and Hicks commands the stage as every character, from a timid Kurdish refugee to a crack dealer. His immersive storytelling gives each character depth, even if they only appear for a short time.
With an otherwise bare set, Hicks’ performance is complemented by a combination of clever audio and lighting effects. Ben Ormerod’s use of lighting against a black background brings depth to the stage, giving the audience a unique visual of the verbalised real and dream worlds. Sound designer Gary Sefton fills the theatre with voices and noises, which provide texture to Hick’s storytelling.
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man holds its own in London’s season of high-profile one-person plays, most notably Andrew Scott’s Vanya and Sarah Snook’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Plays like The Dream of a Ridiculous Man pull into focus theatre’s unique ability to challenge an audience’s thoughts. It’s hard to leave the Marylebone Theatre without a renewed sense of hope that there is a way towards a better world.
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man is at Marlebone Theatre, London until April 20th 2024 – more information and tickets can be found here.
Always Time For Theatre 
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