Review - Toyer

*****

The other day I went to see a preview of Toyer, a psychological thriller directed by William Schoular which opens this week at the Arts Theatre in the West End.

“There's a serial killer on the loose. When a charming stranger appears at psychiatrist Maude's apartment late one night, an innocent encounter soon becomes a sexually charged battle of wits. Is he 'the Toyer', the sadist who lobotomizes his female victims, or merely a playful admirer? In this dangerous game of cat and mouse, Maude must either outwit her adversary or suffer a diabolical fate.”

The play seemed inspired by stories by Alfred Hitchcock and, as mentioned, Silence of the Lambs and much focus has gone into creating the tension and uncertainty that a thriller requires. The sound and the lights do a good job of putting us in the right mood to be frightened but I was left feeling that the acting was not as inspired as it could (and probably should) have been. Keeping in mind that the play had not yet opened when I saw it, and the actors may still be getting into their characters.

Alice Krige (also seen in RSC, Chariots of Fire, Star Trek) playing Maude, seemed a little unsure of how far to take the character. If she had asked me I’d have advised her to go “all the way” and not hold back at all as thinking about the character from the outside prevents the character from reaching the audience. Al Weaver, (Trevor Nunn's Hamlet, Coram Boy at the NT) in the role of Peter seemed much more relaxed and enjoyed playing his part, but I still think he has some of his character’s life to think through in detail before the play opens. There were moments in the play where I felt his character should shift in certain ways that didn’t quite come up to scratch.

The set was effective, but could use a little bit more “life” in it…

In spite of the problems I saw with it, I am going to be quite generous with the grading and give it a 3 out of 5. Had I seen it after it had opened and those problems were there it would have been a 2, but who knows, if they manage to suss all the things I mentioned out by the time the curtain officially rises, the play might well rise to a 4.

-Peter, ASAD Graduate