BWW Reviews: THE RULING CLASS, Trafalgar Studios, January 27 2015

The Ruling Class starring James McAvoy sees Peter Barnes' production being revived by Jamie Lloyd for the first time since it played the West End in 1969. Peter O'Toole starred in the 1972 film version, but Barnes' black-comedy from 1968 has once again been brought to the London theatre scene by Lloyd as the crux of the story is still relevant today and is being performed as part of his ongoing Trafalgar Transformed season at the Trafalgar Studios.

At a time when class-centric programmes such as Downton Abbey, Benefits Street and Made in Chelsea are watched and loved by the British public and with a General Election being held later this year, it seems apt that this class-focused production has based itself for the next few weeks on Whitehall, not far from Downing Street's front door. James McAvoy plays Jack Gurney, the 14th Earl of Gurney who inherits his father's estate and possessions following his death from accidental asphyxiation. The problem, however, lies in the fact that Jack is a paranoid schizophrenic who believes himself to be Jesus Christ (or JC as he likes to be known). With his uncle Sir Charles (Ron Cook) keen to take over, a marriage is arranged between Charles' mistress Grace (Kathryn Drysdale) and his nephew in the hopes a male heir will be produced which will enable him to have Jack institutionalised and leave him running the estate for the time being. Following a change of heart over the scheme Lady Claire (Serena Evans) encourages Jack's psychiatrist Dr Herder (Elliot Levey) to cure him quickly using new electroshock therapy which seems to work on the surface as Jack begins to call himself by his given name. However it is quickly clear that Jack now believes himself to be Jack the Ripper which produces terrifying and hilarious results.

McAvoy is superb as Jack who, totally unsuited to life in the upper class of society, finds himself struggling with his own family as they desperately try to uphold their elitist reputation. McAvoy is able to make Jack a likeable character while still creating tension and drama, keeping the audience utterly captivated by his outstanding performance. The set is well designed by Soutra Gilmour and changes quickly from the drawing room to a garden with sunflowers creeping up through the floor.

Although the plot may seem all doom and gloom, there are moments of pure comedy thanks to McAvoy's fantastic timing and Anthony O'Donnell as the butler Tucker also produces laughs as he stumbles drunk about the stage, telling the family and their guests what he really thinks about them. Joshua McGuire as Charles and Claire's son Dinsdale is hilarious as he is more concerned with the family's image for his by-election campaign than his apparently insane cousin declaring he's the God of love. The depiction of the members of the House of Lords is also brilliant as they sit on dust covered chairs covered head to toe in cobwebs. The cast also randomly break into song and dance routines, keeping the audience on its toes and enthralled throughout, although those sat in the back may have some difficultly hearing all of the lyrics as I did. Class war is an emotive and current topic, making The Ruling Class one theatrical rollercoaster I'd recommend to everyone.

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