Review: Ghost From A Perfect Place, Drayton Arms Theatre

Many people will reflect fondly on their past experiences, which they can often prefer to their modern equivalents; usually, this relates to tastes in bars, music or television. Ghost From A Perfect Place, by Philip Ridley is an engaging exploration on the merits of past and present approaches to organised crime.

After being away for 25 years, the suave Travis Flood (Brian Aris) is on a nostalgia-fuelled visit to Bethnal Green. He finds a kindred spirit in kindly ‘Torchie’ Sparks (Karen Holley), when he visits her flat, as they reflect on how the area has changed since he operated there as a feared but respected ‘businessman’/ gangster.  Flood soon learns that the local criminals have also changed with the times. Torchie’s commanding granddaughter Rio (Canitta Hart) is the leader of the all-female gang ‘The Disciples’ and summons the brash Miss Kerosene (Maria Anthony) and calculating Miss Sulphur (Fatima Makhzoum).  Their clash of ideologies quickly escalates into a deadly power play.

Director Brittany Rex and dramaturg Tom Carter have enhanced the scripted dialogue with creative visual flourishes, which also emphasises the differences between the generations. The focused single location setting has enabled Torchie’s combined kitchen/living room, which has clearly seen better days, to be full of detail. The walls, door and table all show clear signs of fire damage, likewise the few surviving scattered floor tiles; the origin of this fire is an intriguing mystery waiting to be revealed.  

The differing ideologies is clearly reflected in the costuming. Aris effortlessly conveys Flood’s superficial charm and quiet menace; the understated black suit and gleaming white shirt conveys Flood’s pride in displaying success, but also indicates that he left the rougher work to his associates. There is nothing understated about ‘The Disciples’ personalities, so their rugged uniform is purposefully attention grabbing, with matching blonde hair, blue denim jackets, gold dresses and shoes. They are always ready to dive into action and want everyone to know when they are present.

With their youthful energy, childlike enthusiasm, and bickering, a lot of the scripted behaviours of the girl gang are outwardly comedic and rightfully earn laugher. Aris brilliantly conveys a look of bewilderment, snickering as the girls attempt to intimidate him through a synchronised dance and song routine. This could all easily undermine the tension posed, but the young cast are adept in reestablishing the threat in overt and subtle ways. Anthony effectively delivers Kerosene’s alarmingly rapid switches into feral rage, Makhzoum’s worried glances convey Sulphur’s unease, and Harts glares indicate Rio’s fraying patience.

Flood, Torchie and Rio deliver long detailed descriptions of an event from their past, in order to seek support from other characters and present the case that their way is ‘better’; the actors charismatically bring these to life.  Rather than the speakers and listeners standing static, James Denny’s lighting dims the stage and puts a spotlight on the speaker whilst ethereal music plays. The speaker will then act out a past event they are describing whilst the observers intently focus on empty space, as they envisioning the wider scene being described. Whilst the conversations between Flood and Torchie, then Rio and the gang, are outwardly friendly, there is often an undercurrent of menace effectively conveyed by the cast, which is subtly enhanced with a change of sound to match the tone.

Ridley’s script was written and set in the 90’s and compared the gang culture of that era to that of the 60’s.  The dialogue, debates and battle of wills between the older and modern generations are sharp and engaging, and equally timeless and relevant for today.  

Directed by: Brittany Rex
Written by: Philip Ridley
Dramaturgy by: Tom Carter
Fight and intimacy directed by: Robin Hellier
Choreography by: Joshua Egundebi
Lighting and sound designed by: James Denny
Set designed by: Roger Godfrey, Karen Holley, Mark McCluskey, Finton McKluskey
Presented by: Cellar Door Theatre Company

Ghost from A Perfect Place has concluded its run at Drayton Arms Theatre