‘Larisa and the Merchants’ at Arcola

When uncomfortable seats are the only downside of a trip to the theatre, you know you’ve seen a good play. So it was at Dalston’s recently renovated Arcola Theatre for an impassioned performance of the darkly comic Larisa and the Merchants.

Originally written in 1879 by Alexander Ostrovsky, the Russian play has been brought up to date in this new InSite Performance version by Samuel Adamson, directed by Jacqui Honess-Martin, with rousing guitars, modern costume and a sharply funny script.

Larisa faces two problems in life (three if you include her overbearing, unscrupulous mother): she’s poor and she’s a gypsy. Both of which see her pitied and ostracised in near-equal measure within Russian society of the time.

As such she needs marrying off, quickly. Her options are numerous but depressing; filthy rich yet dishonest merchants, a manipulative but irresistible ex who has spurned her once before and a safe but tedious drip, painfully believably played by Ben Addis, to whom she has reluctantly offered her hand.

The fatally destructive effect money can have on relationships forms a central message which rings starkly true today, as do the comparisons which are naturally drawn between the commercially-savvy Russia portrayed and the Russia of today.

Ostrovsky’s eponymous heroine faces desperate choices about money, love and loyalties which seem as probable and relatable in the current times Adamson places her in as they must have done two centuries ago.

A relentless energy and passion characterises proceedings. Stamping feet, clapping hands and rich-folk revelries echo from the predominantly wooden interior of the Arcola creating a difficult to ignore accompanying soundtrack.

Jennifer Kidd and Sam Phillips portray a captivatingly toxic relationship between Larisa and Sergei, the true object of her misplaced affections. While Morgan Philpott’s turn as hapless miscreant Robinson provides a welcome, and expertly timed, injection of pure humour which is reason enough to go. But if you do go, perhaps take a cushion.

Larisa and the Merchants runs until Sunday 2 June at:

Arcola Theatre
24 Ashwin Street
Dalston
E8 3DL

Box Office: 020 7503 1646

Photo by Richard Davenport