The Dream of a Ridiculous Man at Marylebone Theatre
Adapted from the short story by eminent Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Dream of a Ridiculous Man explores pertinent existential questions, transported from 19th century St Petersburg to the heart of contemporary East London.
Directed and devised by Laurence Boswell, this one-man play sees seasoned actor Greg Hicks portray our unnamed hero with a deep understanding. It may be one of Dostoyevsky’s lesser-known works, but revolves around familiar themes of the human condition amidst social, political and spiritual turmoil.
As the protagonist ruminates on suicide, while pondering the meaninglessness of life, and consumed by feelings of abject futility, he succumbs to sleep and experiences a vivid dream. In this vision, he’s transported from his grave to a perfect Eden, unspoiled by jealousy, lust, revenge and any other sin you can imagine. When a young girl pleads for help in London, he initially acts kindly but then resorts to profanity. In the new untainted idyll, inhabited by “children of the sun”, he is mesmerised by their generosity, and wholesome unity connecting all living beings, simplicity and a higher consciousness captivate him, but he soon “corrupts them all”. The society drastically alters to the one he’s left behind, and we are led across hundreds, if not thousands, of years of human evolution in minutes through monologue. Designer Loren Elstein and lighting by Ben Ormerod capture the beauty, with a silhouetted palm, and gorgeous midnight blue evoking paradise.
Returning to consciousness, the protagonist has also changed and vows to tell the truth discovered through his epiphany. The utopic island, and Christian allegory of the fall, lifts him out of a miserly existence, into a sense of purpose. After awakening, he is filled with clarity, and a newfound appreciation of life amidst a desire to spread the message of kindness, compassion, and love.
Hicks carries the play well, transforming into a myriad of characters along the way. Refining the story gives way to expression through movements, and facial cues, sustaining the audience’s attention, which is usually challenging in a one-character play.
The contrast between his old world and the new shines a light on the plight of our own. With raging wars, the battle for dominance, cost of living crises and the natural world in decline – just to name a few issues – The Dream of a Ridiculous Man may not be so ridiculous after all.
Selina Begum
Images: Mark Senior
The Dream of a Ridiculous Man is at Marylebone Theatre from 21st March until 20th April 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
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