Bent

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Play Closed 9 December 2006

Trafalgar Studios 1 Whitehall, London

A major new revival of Martin Sherman's play Bent directed by Daniel Kramer and starring Alan Cumming.

Set amidst the decadence of pre-war fascist Germany, Bent follows a personal journey from the cabarets and clubs of a hedonistic city to the inhuman excesses of a totalitarian regime, as a gay man discovers the true meaning of love and self-acceptance against almost impossible odds.

"A production of intense power by David Kramer. The Trafalgar Studios has it's first blockbuster hit" The Daily Express

Cast features Alan Cumming as 'Max' along with Chris New as 'Horst', Kevin Trainor as 'Rudy', Richard Bremmer, Ricky Champ, Charles Mayer, Hugh Ross, Matthew Spencer, Laurence Spellman and Benjamin Wilkin. (Casting subject to change). This production is directed by Daniel Kramer who was recently nominated for the London Evening Standard's Outstanding Newcomer Award for his critically acclaimed productions of Hair and Woyzeck at London's Gate Theatre. Daniel is also a Creative Associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company and Associate Artistic Director at the Gate Theatre. Bent was originally seen in London at the Royal Court Theatre in 1979 and was then revived at the National Theatre in 1990 in a production that transferred to The Garrick Theatre.

"Alan Cumming in a breathless and doubtless soon to be award winning performance" The Sunday Express

"Martin Sherman's Bent could easily have dated badly... but the play stands up well, in part because its message about being true to yourself is pretty timeless, and in part because of Sherman's skilfully carpentered script and grasp of theatrical spectacle... [Alan Cumming] is good at projecting extremes of emotion, but less good as exuding misery... his Max is always ready with a rogish grin, and while he pulls of the ending, the production struggles to hold the middle ground between stoic wit and full-blown horror." The Sunday Telegraph

"Chris New in an excellent performance" The Financial Times

"An enthralling revival of Martin Sherman's Bent... [by director] Daniel Kramer, who, at 29, has directed a string of revivals that prove him capable of firing up any stage. Helped by Robin Don's putty-and-grime-coloured design, from which things are flung throughout the evening so that, at the desolate end, the world of the play is just a slab of concrete, Kramer tautens every moment that could be soggy." The Observer

"A triumph of love over oppression" The Guardian

"It must be said, if you wish for truly great writing, this play has not fully stood the test of time. Sometimes it's rushed, sometimes repetitive, sometimes too calculatedly tear-jerking. Kramer's directing is rough around the edges as well, exposed on a large, scrappy stage... That said, Alan Cumming becomes increasingly moving and harrowed as the play gets stronger and confronts Max with devastating moral crises... There are also moments of fragile but triumphant humanity." The Independent on Sunday