Welcome to Covent Garden Theatre, 1809, John Kemble, renowned actor and theatre manager is about to perform his celebrated Macbeth alongside his equally esteemed sister Sarah Siddons. Just as the audiences expected the lights to go down we were greeted by a fellow audience member, ‘What a treat, eh? The theatre’ she chirps up, with an inviting grin. How right she is.
‘Kemble’s Riot’ offers us a stimulating and involving debate still pertinent today, particularly in the Fringe; the price of theatre tickets. Based on the true story of the Old Price Riots of 1809, when John Kemble’s refurbished theatre and unpaid loans result in a raise in ticket and a riot lasting 66 nights. The audience is transported to this historical event as active players in the debate and the mob.
Initially explicit instructions are provided, printed sheets establishing the historical setting and dictating which side of the debate we stand. Two fellow audience members, historical characters Mary Austin and Henry Clifford, lead the divided discussion. Magnificent as passionate theatregoers, Steve North and Julie Nash are witty and sharp in their repartee. They welcome spontaneous involvement of the audience evidently thriving off the fervor of the argument. What begins in the audience as a hiss and a boo will eventually rally into a roar, stamping feat, chanting, singing. It’s a raucous and invigorating rebellion.
We are also offered an intimate view into the personal dilemma of Kemble himself, marvelously portrayed by Richard Hansell. The narrative of self-destructive ambition is one equal to the tragedy of Macbeth and his gravitas in the grand manner of the Shakespearian actor is striking.
Through the simple device of turning up the house lights up the audience dutifully slipped in and out of the ‘mob’, often laughing off their assumed anger to be absorbed into revealing scenes between brother and sister. Yet the audience is left with a smarting awareness of responsibility as Kemble’s final bitter words undercut the pantomime spirit. We, “the greedy rabble”, successfully achieved our goal, but also his downfall.
A wonderfully comic, thought-provoking and unpretentious exploration of the significance of culture and the force of united defiance, Kemble’s Riot is a must see. Having previously stood up to ‘riot’, at curtain call the audience gave a standing ovation. I’d pay to see this again.
