"Of Mice And Men" written by John Steinbeck.

Derby Theatre.

John Steinbeck's classic deep South novella, rather than a novel, which he wrote as a "playable novel" about two men travelling together looking for work. George is clever, the opposite of Lennie who has learning difficulties. They say opposites attract and throughout the play George tells us how much better off he would be if he was travelling alone. The two are loners in their own way and in a way they do need each other, Lennie probably more than George, but you get the feeling that George enjoys having the power and control over his travelling and work partner.

They are travelling to look for work on the farms, but they're also running away from trouble, and given Lennie's past, into inevitable trouble, which they find in their latest workplace. The story has several offshoots with the various workers on the farm and deal with segregation and the image of how women are treated within marriage as well as the image of elders with learning difficulties. All sidelines but all very vital to the story as a whole.

Steinbeck originally planned the book as a children's story, and that is why the book is still on many school's curriculum. It gives many positives as well as highlighting a lot of negative attitudes, many of which still exist in modern society. 

George is played by Liam King. Liam really comes across as the protective one, and he is to a great extent just that. In the final scenes you can tell he isn't 100% in favour of his actions, but in his eyes, is the kindest action to protect Lennie. Confident role who, again evokes emotion and reaction from the audience for his character.

Lennie is played by Wiliam Young. Wiliam is spot on as the mentally challenged, but lovable Lennie. The reason for this is because Wiliam, and Luke, who shares the role, are both learning disabled, ensuring that this production is fully inclusive.

You really do feel sorry for Lennie and the end, because you know what his fate is, really makes you tense up. Wiliam projects the very human side, as well as the lonely side of the character and that really stirs the emotional side of the viewer.

Luke Richards will play the role Thursday evenings and Saturday Matinees.

Jeff Alexander plays Crooks who has a very convincing emotional scene and speech as he describes what his life as a black man in the deep south is like. In the play Crooks has a back injury, which makes him move in a certain way. Jeff himself has suffered a major back injury, so he can really put that physicality on stage in the way that he moves and acts.

Benjamin Wilson is Candy, a lovely warm character who, like Lennie and George, has his dreams which you just know won't come to fruition. He has hopes and ambition, even at his time of life and his devotion to the dog he had as a pup is admirable, recoiling into a semi foetal position after his final act of "kindness". This production really is special because Benjamin is a blind actor.

Curley, the over protective and suspicious husband as well as being The Boss's son, is played by Stefan Race. Curley is talented and picked fights with the wrong people entirely: Lennie, because he was far too strong, and Slim, because he was too well-respected. Stefan brings out that arrogance, which could be seen as stupidity, brilliantly.

Curly's wife is played by Emma Charlton. The workers all think that she is trouble, popping over when Curley is not around, on the premise that she is looking for her husband, when in fact the real reason for her being there is very different. Emma is no stranger to the Derby Theatre stage.

Playing The Boss is John Elkington, a name that anyone who has been to a Nottingham Playhouse pantomime will know instantly. Thirteen years ago I remember seeing John play the role of George at Nottingham Playhouse.

Tom Fletcher, who is a hard of hearing actor, plays Carlson, one of the labourers on the farm. Carlson is powerful, fearless, but has a friendly side to him. He is opposed to Candy's old dog and has an off stage scene that, even when you know the story and have seen the play, still comes as a shocking moment.

Afton Moran plays Whit. Whit enjoys a good time, and regularly spends all his money at the whorehouse in town. Aggressive, nosy, and always looking to be where the action is, Whit seems to seek out and enjoy any drama or tension on the ranch. A fun character role that is brought to the fore on several occasions by Afton.  

Laurence Pears plays Slim, the most well respected of the labourers on the farm. He is the rational one of the bunch, and even Curley takes notice of him. Slim is the only one on the ranch who appreciates the difficulty of George's position, and also provides a way that would help George, and Lennie in the most humane ending to their particular situation.

Directed by Sarah Brigham and what really hit me with this production was the use of script space, especially in one particular scene, which I won't give away, but will be apparent when you see this production. There are a few spaces where, in many other plays may come across as possibly need for a prompt, but really adds suspense, when you know this particular scene. So much can be said or insinuated where there's gaps of silence on stage, and Sarah really creates expectant tension. I often go on about pace, and this play is all about pace, which in turn creates just the right atmosphere.

Set and Costume Designer is Jess Curtis. The set looks fairly static until the end scenes when it all opens out, and the props that are brought on and taken off really change the look of the stage set.

Lighting design is by Simeon Miller and sound design and composer is Ivan Stott. 

It is a classic piece of literature and is a powerful and emotive piece of theatre, beautifully acted which still manages to hold an air of tension and menace, and still has that shock element. At the end I looked around at some of the audience and they were visibly affected by what they had just seen; and that is the mark of a great production.

As part of the production, Derby Theatre are also offering integrated creative audio description performed in character by the actors.

"Of Mice And Men" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 1 March.

Photography by Pamela Raith Photography.