Michael Cox reviews the latest production of the James Plays series.
Rona Munro’s James Plays series is one of the most ambitious undertakings of modern Scottish theatre. The quality of the plays have varied, but the scope and aspiration of the project has always been commendable.
James V: Katherine falls on the stronger side: a chamber piece that trades epic staging for quiet character moments. More about the Scottish Reformation than James V's actual reign and court life, the play follows young Katherine Hamilton’s journey from side-lined woman of the house to headstrong potential martyr. Her brother, Patrick Hamilton, has agreed to marry Katherine’s childhood friend, Jenny: a marriage meant to give him a pulpit to preach against the Catholic faith instead of the beginning of marital bliss. Arrest and execution follow, and Katherine finds herself in a personal war with the Church, refusing to submit not because of faith but because of her passion in keeping Patrick’s words alive.
The first half of the production is rather slow. Patrick (Benjamin Osugo) comes across as aloof, perhaps even tedious. Osugo’s character feels like he’s sleepwalking into his fate rather than driving towards it, making for scenes that feel repetitive and stale—and hard to engage with. Catriona Faint’s Katherine and Alyth Ross’s Jenny give the first half a bit of a pulse, but the dramatic action at best simmers.
All bets are off when Sean Connor enters as the sheriff, there to announce Patrick’s death and demand Katherine and Jenny’s devotion to the Church. With this, the play jumps into fifth gear and becomes highly engaging; more so when Katherine is brought before an Edinburgh court with her life at stake—and a grandstanding James V (also brilliantly played by Connor) demanding to contribute to the proceedings.
It's a shame that the first half has none of the drive, tension or humanity that’s found in the second half. Faint’s portrayal of Katherine is engaging, and her scenes with Ross and Connor makes for some thrilling theatre. Osugo fares better in court as the prosecuting priest, but his character is only a stooge for the main event: the battle of wits Katherine engages her persecutors with.
James V: Katherine doesn’t outstay its welcome and comes to a satisfactory conclusion. Director Orla O'Loughlin has created a production that has many moments of thrilling theatre with some excellent performances and a solid design concept. It’s just a shame the first half is half-baked.
James V: Katherine is currently at the Tron until April 27, 2024. It continues its tour until June 1, 2024. For further details, go to the production's website.
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Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic.
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