I’d been looking forward to seeing David Greig’s ‘Europe’ since I first heard it was being put on by a group of some of the “finest actors from Oxford University”. I must also admit that hearing the cast described in that way really made me want them to fail and produce a lacklustre piece of theatre.

As problems for the cast began to mount, it looked as if my desire would be fulfilled. A cast member was sacked, costumes weren’t bought until the week of the performance, the director, Ilan Goodman was taking a role in the play as Stationmaster Fret and a set designer was only found a week before the play. To say that the play has been dogged by problems would be a bit of an understatement. But is it any good?

Europe tackles themes that are deeply rooted in the idea of National and Cultural identity. Set in an anonymous Eastern European village, the story of a small group of characters is played out on both a grand and an intimate scale. Greig cleverly makes scenes about specific characters simultaneously play out the story of nations with gripping intensity. In addition, the play stands up here to what director Goodman has imposed on the text. I only wish that he’d been more brave with the staging - the cast seemed to be fighting against a near empty auditorium and cavernous set. The play cries out for an intimate setting and for actors to try using native accents to make the characters more specific.

Other drawbacks are that Goodman mistakenly makes his character, Fret, a comic role. The frustrated Stationmaster is an example of a man who has been left bewildered and baffled by progress. He plays to the audience with his whining voice and shuffling walk. Polly Findlay (assistant director and also the dreamer Adele) and Kate Fowler (Katia) turn in adequate performances that occasionally reach the intensity that Greig’s superb writing deserves. It was a bit of a shame that Fowler kept turning her r’s into w’s - some of the most beautiful and bewitching city names in Europe were rendered amusing by her pronunciation.

I encourage you to go and catch Europe - it’s a thoughtful play, adequately acted. The play’s themes deserve attention and the lyrical writing will probably be some of the best presented by OUDS this season.

Ben Whitehouse, 23.10.03