Louis Maskell and Sanne den Besten in The Grinning Man at Trafalgar Studios, London. Picture: Helen Maybanks
The Grinning Man continues at the Trafalgar Studios, London until 14 April.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
With puppetry, a gorgeous score (including a cimbalom, which you just don’t hear enough of these days) and a touching story, The Grinning Man (transferring from the Bristol Old Vic) makes quite an impact.
The show is based on Victor Hugo’s novel The Man Who Laughs and, like so many of the author’s works, follows the tale of an unlikely hero.
Carl Grose has delicately adapted Hugo’s novel for the stage, the captivating plot bursting with detail and emotion.
The story begins as Grinpayne is torn from his mother after suffering a painful facial injury, leaving him wearing a permanent smile. While stumbling through the woods, he discovers the young, blind Dea, but the survival of the two broken children seems unlikely when they cannot find shelter from the freezing temperatures.
They are eventually rescued and taken into the care of Ursus, who encourages Grinpayne to perform daily to raise the money for them to run away and start a new life as a family. Grinpayne’s deformed smile brings joy to those who see it, but he is haunted by his past, unable to move on until he finds out what truly happened to him as a child.
The show opens with ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’, led by Julian Bleach who plays Barkilphedro, the dark and comedic jester, masterfully.
The humour and peculiarity of this ensemble piece are wonderfully accented by Jane Gibson’s choreography. The cast members are completely invested in the storytelling of this spellbinding musical, with the actor-musician element creating a more immersive atmosphere.
Sean Kingsley plays Ursus with real honesty and has a gravelly, almost Tom Waits-like voice that suits the score perfectly.
Sanne den Besten’s portrayal of Dea is beautiful. Her pure voice and characterisation depict the part of an innocent girl who is the only one who can see Grinpayne for who he truly is.
Louis Maskell, as Grinpayne, is absolutely phenomenal, using his entire body and voice to physicalise the character’s broken anguish.
The puppets, designed by Gyre & Gible, are a wonderful addition to the aesthetic and are manipulated in such a way as to create real and touching moments.
The theatre is plastered with ageing posters and ornamented with bunting and lights. The usual square proscenium arch has been transformed into a huge leering smile.
Jon Bausor’s design is a character in itself, with props and set being literally dragged and spun around the stage to reveal new scene changes. Rob Casey’s lighting is a perfect accompaniment to this, with creative choices such as fuzzy, flickering lights to depict moments of storytelling to near-blinding limelight at Grinpayne’s freak show.
Tom Morris’ thoughtful and intricate direction has created a hauntingly beautiful show that draws you further and further in as the story unfolds.
The magic of this kooky fairy tale is enhanced by the gorgeous score by Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler which offers humour and raw emotion.
The Grinning Man is a marvellously macabre musical, incredibly funny but truly touching, and is an experience I suggest you don’t miss out on.
Lani Calvert
Tickets for The Grinning Man at the Trafalgar Studios are available HERE.
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