The world premiere of Fanny by Calum Finlay at The Watermill is an irreverent romp, hugely entertaining but also exploring the restrictions placed on women in nineteenth century Europe. Fanny is Fanny Mendelssohn who, despite writing over 460 pieces of music, is as a woman unable to publish any under her own name.
Fanny, played by Charlie Russell, is portrayed as a bundle of energy whose frustrations at the egotistical and condescending manner of her brother, the famous Felix Mendelssohn (Corey Montague-Sholay) and the overpowering, dictatorial manner of her mother (Kim Ismay) seem to imprison her within the four walls of her home.
Much of the comedy in the first half of the play comes from the virtuoso riffs, wordplay and puns introduced by Fanny’s potential suitor, Wilhelm (George Howard) and from the character of Paul (Harry Kershaw), played as well-meaning but clumsy. Paul is the neglected and overlooked brother to the famous Mendelssohns.
In the second half, having discovered that Queen Victoria has issued an invitation to Felix to play her favourite piece of music, Italien, at a personal concert, Fanny decides that since she wrote the piece she will go in his place. She invites Clara Schumann (Jade May Lin) who is another unrecognised musician and composer in the shadow of her husband, Robert Schumann, to join her and Wilhelm. A frantic chase across Europe ensues which has the audience on the edge of their seats.
The lighting and set is, as ever inventive, and this tiny theatre is quickly transformed into the Mendelssohn’s sitting room, a busy sea-port, Victorian London and the Royal Palace often with use of back projection.
The Watermill hallmarks of audience participation, breaking down the fourth wall, actors playing multiple parts, quick costume changes off and on stage are all evident in this production. Special mention must go to Kim Ismay who plays several very different characters with very different accents and mannerisms in quick succession.
The final words of the play, spoken by Fanny, are “energy, enthusiasm and passion” and the play has these qualities in abundance. As a bonus, The Watermill has issued an invitation to women musicians to take part in the Irish tradition of the Noble Call which is derived from the tradition of calling on guests at a party to share a song, or a poem. We were entertained by Kim and Emily on the violin and cello playing Coldplay’s Viva la Vida which translated means ‘love life’ and hence reinforced the message of the play.
Fanny plays at The Watermill Theatre until June 15. Click here for tickets
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