The Constituent - Old Vic (J. Corden, A. Maxwell Martin)

Saw this tonight and really enjoyed it, despite it being a little lighter in tone than you'd expect for the material, and a little more serious than you'd expect from a James Corden vehicle.

This felt of a piece with Joe Penhall's other plays, continuing his exploration of the way the system treats vulnerable individuals, with something worthwhile to say, albeit I concede it is a bit sitcommy for such serious subject matter (swings and roundabouts for me, as for every moment that could have been more authentically tense, there's another that puts a welcome smile on your face), and it does feature three excellent performances, in my opinion.

Some spoilers follow. . .

As an aside, I'm grateful it got me out of the house, as I fractured my ribs falling backwards off a wall 11 days ago, and I'm still on painkillers, but the prospect of exchanging front stalls PWC tickets for gods tickets later in the run felt even more painful lol.

As a consequence, I'm glad this wasn't excessively funny, as laughing hurts. It is however, frequently amusing, albeit in a non belly laugh way, with most of the smiles belonging to Zachary Hart's protection officer, Mellor, whose one-size-fits-all systemic pragmatism is the target of most of Penhall's ire. Hart's matter-of-fact Brummie monotone, coupled with his bemused know-it-all superiority, make him the most reasonable seeming villain imaginable, which is why he's perpetually amusing.

James Corden is surprisingly not so amusing here, opting to play outside of his typical comedic range. The role of a former soldier, facing losing his children in family court, whose mental health may or may not be on firm ground, seems made for an actor who exudes unpredictability and danger beneath an affable surface, like Daniel Mays, not Corden who typically feels as contained and comforting as a bag of chips.

But this seeming miscasting actually plays to the production's benefit, in my view, because in fact, Corden is a good actor, and we are destabilised and tantalised by not knowing just how unhinged he can get, as his character, the MP's Constituent of the title, starts to unravel.

Anna Maxwell Martin is perfectly cast as the MP who actually wants to do some good in the world, someone for whom compassion and connection matters. I know this can be a real thing as someone I know was once helped in a similarly benign way by Simon Hughes, MP, who went out of his way to help her, his constituent, in difficult circumstances.

Anyway, like in Blue/Orange or Mood Music or Haunted Child, the way the stiff superior system deals with Corden's character is the crux of it all, and while its all a bit pat, its also thought-provoking, builds nicely and achieves effective dramatic moments.

4 stars for me.

That’s the one. I just remember it being totally aimless and treading water a lot. Not literally.

I feel I’ve read this whole thread, but has anyone discussed the purpose behind this production: the rehabilitation of Corden back into British consciousness now he’s returned home from the USA?

Do we think it will work?

It sounds like he/his team are hoping the fact he’s playing a serious, dramatic role and showcasing his acting, rather than his personality, will bring in rave reviews.

Do we think they will? And will he be forgiven for all things past?

Anyone who watched Fat Friends or even The History Boys will know he can act. But are they gunning for the surprise that he can do dramatic, and not just Gavin & Stacey?

He is effectively playing Smithy from Gavin and Stacey in this (but you never quite believe the character is saying the words but is more of a mouthpiece for the playwright) so it’s not much of a stretch tbf. I also never really felt like he was listening to the other actor in the scene but he was waiting to say his line each time.

I was also there last night and liked this ok- tend to agree with most of the other comments; I too don't see the need for such long interruptions with the scene changes. The music that goes with it also feels overly dramatic..
The acting (what I could see from up the balcony!) was good, some funny lines and more emotional scenes. For £10 it was an entertaining evening, not hugely memorable or interesting in what it had to say, but somehow better than some of the stuff I've seen of late. Friend didn't rate it much and too a strong dislike for the Corden character, while I was a lot more compassionate and in agreement with how the MP dealt with him. Very tough job, being an MP!

Not sure I said that…

My inference was more how Corden and co can use said production and role for his U.K. rehab.

I'm another who was there last night and can echo what others bave said about the length of scene changes. They're necessary yes, but they did take a fair amount of time.

I enjoyed the play overall, Zachary stole some of the limelight as I thought he was great. The performances were pretty good in general, felt like a few stumbles with lines but it is still in previews so not an issue really.

I am surprised mostly at the comments on the scene changes, as I can't say I found them excessively long tonight. However, I was seated on stage, so it was interesting to watch the stage hands at work close up.

There is good acting here, particularly from Corden in the final scene. The cast make the best of dialogue that, throughout, never quite rings true. I don't think Penhall has an ear for how real people speak. His Blue/Orange was so-so, Sunny Afternoon tremendous, but Mood Music utterly dire. Here, his ideas are good and the plot is engaging; I just wish I wasn't constantly thinking: I don't think that character would say that; I don't think they would respond in that way.

Still, it's interesting and entertaining and over quickly.

Four stars.

One act: 19:36-21:01

(The on-stage seating is very comfortable, has superb rake affording an excellent view looking down on the action from close range, and reasonable legroom. In contrast, because the square performance platform has been raised 18 inches above the usual stage height and extended out into the front stalls, the first few regular rows are looking up significantly.)

I've seen him in a lot more, and agree with your point anyway.

I love Peter Sellers' work and he was a difficult man. I can separate work and man.

I remember attending a comedy show at the Albert Hall where Corden was playing a public schoolboy barging his way through the stalls to the stage, and I strained politely to let him through, so he decided to loudly shout that I wasn't letting him through. It was very funny, though not for me, but I will put up with anything for a good comedian lol.

From this week’s Popbitch email. Did anyone spot her?!

>> The good seats <<
One play, two guvnors

James Corden is back in the West End, playing Alec in The Constituent at the Old Vic. Supposedly he's pretty good as well – not that many in the audience on opening night were watching him.

The show is one of those ones where they've added some extra seating for punters at the back of the stage. Unfortunately for James and his co-stars, one of those punters cut quite a distinctive figure.

Even in the dimmed auditorium light, everyone could make out the trademark bob and outsized sunglasses of Anna Wintour.