Programme Review: Scenes from an Execution - National Theatre

A series of reviews of theatre programmes

Scenes from an Execution by Howard Barker, National Theatre

When purchased:

The Olivier Café before the performance, 23rd October

Price:

£3

Pages:

68 of which 31 are production specific and there are no adverts in the production section

Notable adverts:

• The American Academy of Dramatic Arts
• Neptune Investment Management
• Cheltenham Ladies, Malvern College, Sevenoaks School

Photos:

No production photos, 6+ pages of rehearsal photos

Content:

• Single page listing principal cast and creatives
• One page on access and associated events
• Three page essay on the playwright
• Five page essay on ascent of female artists
• Two page essay on the Battle of Lepanto
• One page essay on the Doge of Venice
• Eight pages of cast and creative bios

Comments

The essay on the Doge of Venice doesn't actually tell the reader what a Doge is! - We learn some Doges exceeded their authority, but we don't know what their role in Venetian society was. Similarly the 'essay' on the battle is random excerpts describing the battle from a number of sources and doesn't really give any insight into the scale of the battle or its importance in Venetian history. The essay on female artists is more interesting.

Overall

3 out of 5 - Good value at £3, but gives no hint as to what the play is about and the background material feels like it has been lazily compiled.