After their barnstorming debut with last year's The Government Inspector, Flintlock Theatre return with an original piece: Anna Glynn's Don Q. Wisely deciding against a straight retelling of Cervantes' 400,000-word Don Quixote, Glynn explores how an elderly would-be knight-errant might fare in the modern world. Bibliophile Norman Vaughan (Samuel Davies) is barred from his local library for refusing to leave at closing time, and placed in a retirement home by his nephew. With the help of his young friend Sam (Kate Colebrook) – Sancho Panza to Norman's Don Quixote – he escapes his confinement and sets off in search of the beautiful Dulcinea del Toboso. The many different characters they meet on the way are brought to life by the extremely versatile Jeremy Barlow and Francesca Binefa, with just a little help from the audience.
The play begins in a library, with all four cast members playing elderly librarians. This gives the actors their first opportunity for some audience interaction – a Flintlock hallmark – as they chatter away while people take their seats. Don Q then becomes a play-within-a-play as the librarians tell Norman's story, reverting to their librarian characters to observe from the fringes when not directly involved in the action. Scenery is minimal but highly effective, as simply a stepladder, a door, and occasionally a chair serve to conjure up the play's locations. Props and costumes, on the other hand, abound, and the cast juggle books, kitchen utensils, hoodies, walking sticks, signs, cue cards, and more books with great aplomb. Credit must go to director Robin Colyer for his marshalling of the action, particularly in the play's unspoken musical sequences, such as a recap of Norman's life story, and Don Q and Sancho Panza's thrilling (and hilarious) ride away from the retirement home.
The action in Don Q is frenetic and very funny, although the play does have its more poignant moments, which stand out all the more in the midst of the frenzied comings and goings. The cast are tireless, their energy levels never dropping, even after an excursion into the theatre café during the interval, to serenade the audience with library-themed reworkings of some well-known songs.
Don Q stays true to the spirit of Cervantes' original novel, while also subtly raising some important points about how we treat the elderly. It is also a heartfelt celebration of books, libraries and storytelling. If you don't manage to see it this week – and you should – then a tour is planned for 2015. Don't miss it.