Allegiance preview SKINNYFEST
Rubber faced, bulldoggish and full of the malcontent grumblings that embodied Churchill, Smith is a fine choice to play the pivotal role.
| 14 Aug 2006
The infamous secret meeting of Winston Churchill and Sinn Fein leader Michael Collins is the basis for Mary Kelly's new play Allegiance, which explores this murky and improbable scene and the subsequent kinship that arose between the two men.
Meeting in 1921 for furtive negotiations, the pair are at odds, until Churchill invites Collins to his home. The play captures the uneasy friendship and mutual respect that is kindled over the course of a late night and a few bottles of whisky, brandy and champagne. This lets-get-pissed technique of international negotiations is sadly no longer in use.
Mel Smith brings his considerable commercial weight to bear on this historical drama directed by Brian Gilbert, and his presence has ensured a hearty spotlight of attention on its world premier, not least for his media-canny insistence that he will light up his cigar in the name of artistic integrity (showbiz).
Rubber faced, bulldoggish and full of the malcontent grumblings that embodied Churchill, Smith is a fine choice to play the pivotal role. Dark and brooding young Irish actor Michael Fassbender has been excellent on the small screen in Band of Brothers, Holby City and supernatural teen-show Hex. His appointment as Collins means that the central roles are filled by two well-known and charismatic actors who should be able to easily carry off this portrait of two heavyweight political figures, set during a dramatically volatile period of skulduggery.
It's an intriguing prospect, to explore under the skin of either of these men, and their contrast represents an arresting pairing. Brian Gilbert has previously directed Stephen Fry and Jude Law in the film Wilde, and Mary Kelly has been lauded for her ability to bring life and fresh perspective to historically demonised figures. Mature, educated and intimate, Allegiance looks like theatre at its best.
Meeting in 1921 for furtive negotiations, the pair are at odds, until Churchill invites Collins to his home. The play captures the uneasy friendship and mutual respect that is kindled over the course of a late night and a few bottles of whisky, brandy and champagne. This lets-get-pissed technique of international negotiations is sadly no longer in use.
Mel Smith brings his considerable commercial weight to bear on this historical drama directed by Brian Gilbert, and his presence has ensured a hearty spotlight of attention on its world premier, not least for his media-canny insistence that he will light up his cigar in the name of artistic integrity (showbiz).
Rubber faced, bulldoggish and full of the malcontent grumblings that embodied Churchill, Smith is a fine choice to play the pivotal role. Dark and brooding young Irish actor Michael Fassbender has been excellent on the small screen in Band of Brothers, Holby City and supernatural teen-show Hex. His appointment as Collins means that the central roles are filled by two well-known and charismatic actors who should be able to easily carry off this portrait of two heavyweight political figures, set during a dramatically volatile period of skulduggery.
It's an intriguing prospect, to explore under the skin of either of these men, and their contrast represents an arresting pairing. Brian Gilbert has previously directed Stephen Fry and Jude Law in the film Wilde, and Mary Kelly has been lauded for her ability to bring life and fresh perspective to historically demonised figures. Mature, educated and intimate, Allegiance looks like theatre at its best.