Doctor Faustus: 11 March 2005

Faustus' pact with the Devil has long entered the popular imagination, even Pete Doherty getting into the act last week, quoting Goethe's version in an allusion to the corrosive effects of fame. Modern references to the story are often somewhat watered down from the original, with some people refering to having to undertake some uncongenial employment as 'selling their soul tothe Devil'. This production of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus plays it straight down the line and returns to an earlier age's physical apprehension of evil, where the Devil is incarnate and Hell is the lack of God's love (rather than other people).

Faustus (Ralf Collie) is a man of considerable learning who feels that knowledge is no longer an end in itself. He conjours the demon Mehpistophilis who tells him that he will have 'whatsoever he desires' if he signs a contract to give his soul to Satan in return.

Julia Taudevin's Mephistophilis is chillingly knowing and warns Faustus of the consequences before she gets his signature in blood. The actress also doubles as Helen of Troy who becomes one of Faustus' consolations. Other consolations are outlined by Tessa Hatts who runs through the Seven Deadly Sins with a particular relish for Lechery.

After 24 years the day of reckoning dawns and we are left with a wailing and gnashing Faustus, as the Devil claims his prize. At just over an hour's running time, this is a short, sharp performance.

© What's On In London 2005 (Jim Healy)