A furiously physical solo performance of three savagely funny, intensely intimate stories written by the maverick genius of British theatre, Steven Berkoff.
In turns funny, harrowing, real and surreal, this daring performance is nothing short of brilliant.
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
An actor takes stock of his world in The Secret of Capitalism, both sides of a sordid brief encounter are exposed in Say a Prayer for Me, and Hell is the ultimate appeal for a little sympathy and company.
There’s a definite buzz in the sell-out crowd for the opening of a new Berkoff by one of the most-praised solo performers of recent Fringes. If you thought Berkoff was all arch bombast, then try this mesmeric wade through the quagmires of despair. From its monotone opening to its killer final line, it’s both unique and fascinating.
THE LIST
George Dillon premiered a double-bill of Berkoff’s short stories Say a Prayer for Me & Hell at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1992. In 1994 he added the story The Secret of Capitalism to make a triple bill Hell & Other Tales, which he toured again in 1997.
These three short tales make for a miserable yet marvellous evening. He is raucous, humourous, pitiful and exceptionally tender. The stage is empty, the subject matter almost banal, so there is nothing but the force of Dillon’s performance to carry you through. He does not disappoint. Here is a performance which cannot be too highly recommended.
WHAT’S ON IN LONDON
In 1996, George Dillon worked with musicians Charlotte Glasson and Rob Updegraff to create an new live musical soundtrack for the story Hell (replacing his original choice of music by Harold Budd) and this was then recorded by Glasson and Stuart Daye.
From 2001 to 2011 George Dillon performed a double bill of Dostoevsky’s Heaven & Berkoff’s Hell in Edinburgh, Holland, Canada and Poland.
One cannot be unaffected by Dillon’s virtuoso performance in this world premiere of Berkoff’s monologues. It is a tour de force in which the actor and his material become one and the fusion of life and theatre is complete.
THE SCOTSMAN
“The best example of someone to watch how to perform is George Dillon.”
Steven Berkoff