Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, contemporaries of Shakespeare, got together to write a couple of plays, of which The Change- ling was the smash hit. The Rattlebag company's current version shows why; it is a thriller all the way.
What a plot. Beatrice is about to marry the noble Jasperino when her acquisitive eye falls on the handsome Alsemero; but how to change her mind and the arrangements of her aristocratic father? She loathes manservant De Flores and his manifest obsession with her, but now sees a way to turn it to her advantage. Murder most foul is arranged and executed.
But De Flores wants and gets his reward, of which money is only the second tranche. He now has power over Beatrice, and she must satisfy his passion or he will destroy them both. And, even though she still plans to marry Alsemero, her corrupted nature begins to see unexpected merits in De Flores. What a babe!
It all ends in tears and, naturally, bodies. The story fairly rattles along for some two hours, solidly acted by a good cast. Aoife Moloney is excellent as Beatrice, and Michael McCabe is a suitably complicated villain as De Flores. Patrick McEnaney, Eilin O'Dea, Dermot Magennis, David Peare, Jonathan Ryder and Tim O'Rioradan are all excellent in support, and Joe Devlin's direction has pace and bite.
Runs to 26th June; booking at 01-6713387
