Freak show to Fineries: The Grinning Man
By Gabriella Laporte-Virot
This dark, gothic spectacle is a must see for fans of the creepy and grotesque. As a contemporary adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel The Man Who Laughs, this production brings us a familiar story with a twist. It follows the ironically named Grinpayne (Louis Maskell), a young man who’s face is mutilated as a child so badly that he is forced to mask his permanently scarred grin with blood stained bandages. After spending his life performing in his families freak show, he begins a journey to discover who forced him into this fate. Featuring conniving Court Jesters, nymphomaniac Royals and a life-size puppeteer wolf, this dark musical shocks on almost every level, especially considering all these things are featured within a comedy.
The juxtaposed laughter of the audience weaved in with the genuine suffering of Grinpayne and those around him give way to a slight uncomfortableness emphasised by the intimate setting of the theatre. Playing at the Trafalgar Studios in London, expect to be twisting and turning in your seats as every end of the theatre is utilised by the cast .
Dealing with a whole host of adult themes, the complex and multifaceted characters take you along their journey of self discovery in which the darkest sides of humanity are played with. Featuring puppeteer work from the same group who performed in the iconic War Horse, this immersive medieval world is contributed to by the stunning sets and eerie music.
The fairly large cast of 17 is complimented by the use of unnervingly realistic puppets in flashbacks as you discover the characters painful pasts. The Prolonged singing solos by Grinpayne capture and reflect his sorrowful loneliness and isolation brought about by being in the dark about his own past. With rumours of his grotesque face turning young women blind, the play’s underlying focal point is of outcasts and seclusion. Various characters secrets unravel throughout the musical creating layers of mystery and suspense.
The story, often of a violent, cruel and sexual nature, is aimed at young adults, dealing with, although in a more extreme way, similar issues many young people deal with and feel. Although dark, you're guaranteed laughs from the witty sarcastic and narrative courtesy of the old Court Jester.
The contemporary musical, originally performed at the Bristol Old Vic was transferred to the West end in October. Originally running until February 17th, more dates were added until the 14th April.
If you're looking to be shocked, this is definitely something to check out.
Image by Gabriella Laporte-Virot