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(Photo Credit: Johan Persson)
We have had many shows recently that centre around and are about a loved sport, normally football, but Sheffield Theatres have taken on a different sport…and that is athletics, in this new production of Mike Bartlett’s stage adaptation of the motion picture film, Chariots of Fire.
While yes there are many differences between athletics and football, for one thing athletes don't have nail biting penalty shootouts, but it does share one thing and that is the sporting triumph and a story that made history!
Chariots of Fire is the play that is based on the true story of athletes, England's Harold Abrahams and Scotland’s Eric Liddell, who both race and represent the GB team with the competition to be the fastest runners at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. The show takes you through probably one of British Athletics most famous moments in history. Adapted by Mike Bartlett and directed by Robert Hastie. The timing of Chariots of Fire being performed is so perfect as we are in what some would call a summer of sport with the Euros, Wimbledon and…Paris Olympics! Chariots of Fire brings sport and theatre together in one place in this athletically theatrical piece of theatre.
Chariots of Fire runs for 2 hours and 40 minutes with one interval. Like always, my reviews are 100% honest and I will always justify my ratings, thoughts and feelings, always giving constructive feedback and my opinions are my own.
As Robert Hastie enters his final season as Artistic Director at the Sheffield Theatres, the work achieved in this show should be something to be proud to be leaving on. There’s so much artistic and directional talent within this production that it clearly shows and creates something so brilliant. I personally would never have thought that as a theatre fan I would see a show about sport…honestly, but I’m so glad I did.
Hastie brilliantly and effortlessly directs scenes with such great atmosphere for the audience it really makes you feel that you are in an actual athletic arena. Hastie’s direction is probably one of the best and smartest usages of the whole Crucible auditorium by far in my opinion, it is head turning. Hastie’s work is genuinely genius! Hastie creates some real tension between the two rivals, Abrahams and Liddell (played by Adam Bregman and Michael Wallace), and as a quarter Scottish myself…I didn’t know which one to root for, but ended up rooting for them both. Hastie contends with the turntable and treadmills exceptionally well, adding to the sporting atmosphere as well as bringing the story to life in front of your eyes. Hastie also creates what feels like a circular ending to the show, as we are presented with ensemble members essentially ‘warming up’ pre show and running back in time from present to the past games, to then being presented with one ensemble member running on a treadmill in present day essentially training for this years Olympics. This was something that to me was unexpected, but really it’s a piece of direction that actually connects the piece together really nicely and is quite heart-warming and makes you feel proud. Hastie doesn't just create tension but also directs funny and really interesting moments to show Abrahams and Liddell's deeper characters as well.
Not only does Robert Hastie’s direction for Chariots of Fire have some athletic moments, which are powerful and delivered with great skilled technique, but Hastie also provides a helpful hand with creating the competitive racing moments with Ben Wright as Movement Director. Together Hastie and Wright intensify the races and create what I can only describe as ‘sportography’, which is something I’d never thought I’d see myself writing! With a mix of running poses and choreographic elements, it’s two things that work insanely well together and are awesome to watch, it even created at times a cinematic experience live on the stage. The movements and direction that creates the races increases the tension as well as engaging, and it results in great delivery in what both sides wanted to achieve.
I do want to mention the brilliant use of BSL and captions in the show. It was inclusive and definitely was something really good to see not just in this show but also seeing a more inclusive cast and direction and also on the technical side in the theatre.
Written and adapted from the original motion picture, by Mike Bartlett. I will admit I went into the show with little knowledge, having never either watched the film or really heard anything about the true story of both competitors. I didn’t know what to think and expect from going in, which is not a bad thing. Bartlett for me adapted from screen to stage very well and adapted this incredible true story and added comedy, while a few jokes did go over my head, nothing that if you didn’t get would make you lose any of the plot or any of the characters. Bartlett doesn’t complicate the book too much and is pretty much easy to follow, and tackles the times' language, terms and shows themes really well. Bartlett writes the two rivals' sides brilliantly and showing not just their lives on the track but also their personal lives that aren’t on show to the public, and when bringing both athletes together you see the full determination and commitment in them both.
(Photo Credit: Johan Persson)
The cast work tirelessly not just acting but also running on treadmills while a turntable goes round, something that is truly skilled and is something that I couldn’t do one bit as I would fall into the audience in an instant.
Adam Bregman plays Harold Abrahams, Bregman shines and really shows Abrahams determination. Bregman shows Abrahams persistence in wanting to race and win Eric Liddell (played by Michael Wallace) throughout the time of being on stage, and not on stage with Wallace, and both Bregman and Wallace work really well together to create the tension of the two athletes' rivalries. Bregman also displays Abrahams true reason to race and really plays on all aspects of the characters with admired physicality, and expressions and vocal skill, Bregman’s performance is well rounded throughout.
Eric Liddell is played by Michael Wallace, Wallace performs the character brilliantly, with giving good expressions of determination and nervousness. The decision to run or not on a Sunday due to his beliefs, really showed the character's commitment and determination to not move from his beliefs to the performance. Liddell feels like a character that has so much to them and Wallace shows this excellently well, both Wallace and Bregman bring full on energy in both of their performances and make you stay fixed to your seat throughout. Wallace does tremendous work.
Benjamin Westerby performs as Andrew Lindsay who is a friend, and another GB Olympic competitor, of Harold Abrahams and eventually Eric Liddell. Westerby plays a great friend between the two rivals, and provides some funny comedy moments too, which helps to break some of the tension between the lead characters of the show. Westerby also creates some great connections with other cast members too, for example Foster (played by Leo Wan) especially during the champagne hurdling practice, definitely a laugh out loud moment. Westerby's performance is brilliant and his comedic moments create an upbeat approach to his character.
Again, I'd like to talk about all the cast but that would create the longest review ever, but I do need to say the cast definitely do an exceptional job showing their chemistry and energy throughout, which definitely adds to the show. This was not only shown through all the cast's acting, but the performance of songs, such as ‘Jerusalem’ which gave a sense of people and teams coming together.
This Sheffield Theatres production of Chariots of Fire, delivers a story that provides a full circle moment in 2 hours and 40 minutes and a true inspirational story that our GB athletic team will know so well. The whole team who are working on this production, on and off stage, worked together to bring us the historic moment from 1924 Paris Olympics to 2024 Sheffield Crucible.
Chariots of Fire is an athletically theatrical experience full of sporting theatrics!
★★★★★ or should I say..... 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇
Chariots of Fire is playing at the Sheffield Crucible until 27 July
(Photo Credit: Johan Persson)
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