BWW Reviews: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Barbican, July 2 2015

I first saw To Kill a Mockingbird on stage at my first ever visit to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre two years ago and Christopher Sergel's adaptation directed by Timothy Sheader did not disappoint. Now having transferred back to the London stage following a successful UK tour, the production is once again joined by Robert Sean Leonard who took on the role of Atticus Finch at the Open Air Theatre.

The staging is identical to that at Regent's Park - sparse with only a tree, a tyre swing and a bed in the far corner. Imagination is key to this production - as the cast draws a map of the street where eight-year-old Scout Finch and her family live in chalk on the stage floor, it is up to the audience to picture in their minds.

The story follows Scout and Jem's lawyer father Atticus as he goes against social convention and strives to clear Tom Robinson's name in an age where segregation and racism is rife. The actors all perform with good Southern drawls, particularly the three children, Scout, Jem and their friend Dill, played by Ava Potter, Tommy Rodger and Connor Brundish respectively on the show's press night. All three perform to an extremely high standard, especially considering this is Potter's professional theatre debut. Zackary Momoh gives an extremely emotional and heartfelt performance as Tom Robinson, the black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell, the white daughter of aggressive alcoholic Bob Ewell brilliantly played by Ryan Pope. Composer Phil King creates some beautiful music, which helps to transport the audience to Maycomb, Alabama.

Robert Sean Leonard perfectly embodies the wisdom, kindness and humanity that made Atticus so brilliant in Harper Lee's text and the second act is entirely his as the audience becomes enthralled with the trial. The relationship between Scout and her father is poignant and a joy to witness thanks to Leonard and Potter. Supporting actors refer to the original text throughout, reading pieces of narrative to the audience in between dialogue. They do so in English accents, and although some may grumble at this, it certainly helps the audience to distinguish between the characters they play and the role they have as narrator.

This production of To Kill a Mockingbird is every bit as powerful and emotional as it was two years ago. You're advised to take a hanky to this one!

Photo Credit: Alastair Muir