Join the hilarious life of James Wormold as he, without any experience, becomes a spy!
Our Man in Havana is based on the classic Graham Greene novel and has been adapted for stage by Clive Francis. The story follows James Wormold, who gets recruited by MI6 agent Hawthorne to be a spy to fund his spoiled daughter. However, with a lack of any actual experience, Wormold creates a network of fictional agents/reports from his imagination. When his absurd claims are taken as the truth by MI6, real-world consequences occur whilst the Cuban government grows wary. The play is directed by Philip Wilson who has captured the charm and humour of Greene’s original story.
Julie Godfrey is credited for set and costume designed. The set is expansive and quite a spectacle to look at, with perfectly choice costumes to match. Nick Richings lighting design complements the set and costumes well throughout the production. Other creatives include Andy Graham as sound design/original composition, Vanessa Hingley as costume supervisor, Kate Forrester as props supervisor and Nancy Wigglesworth as the accent coach. The whole team has worked supremely well together to bring this story to life.
This story is a joyfully adapted piece which is full of charm. The way the actors move between roles leads to comedic moments which keep the story entertaining. Similarly, the set that comes into the stage looked professional quality which added to the ambience. At times, the story felt slow and less impactful. I wonder if it would be more beneficial to cut some scenes to allow for a faster paced story.
Jodie Steele plays Voice 4, Leon Ockenden plays Voice 3 and Bob Barrett plays Voice 2. The three of them are able to mix between multiple roles which keeps the story entertaining to watch. This also leads to comedic moments and allows them all time to take the lead: making the cast feel cohesive. Jack Ashton plays Wormold, the gentlemen who continues to make up the truth. Ashton is a charismatic lead and his energy helps keep the production fresh throughout. He is able to embody Wormold within his role: making for a satisfying portrayal.
Our Man in Havana continues to run until Saturday 5th September. Book your tickets here!
Tickets for this production were provided complimentary. Many thanks to The Arts Theatre Cambridge for organising.
Max
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