Lucky Seven *** TNT
Back in 1963, young researcher Michael Apted was involved in a TV documentary featuring fourteen seven-year-olds being asked about their views and aspirations. Thanks to him, what was intended as a one off programme became a seven-yearly event. 49 Up (involving as many of the original interviewees as were prepared to participate) was screened in 2005, and 56 Up is already planned to follow.
Alexis Zegerman’s mildly entertaining new comedy places just a trio of fictional characters in the same scenario, but begins at the end and finishes at the beginning of the process, with frequent flashbacks to their 21 and 42 year old selves. Like its TV inspiration, it charts the changes the intervening years have wrought and shows how (though some things can be modified by life’s unexpected knocks and unanticipated blessings) fundamentally their basic personalities have barely changed in over four decades.
Zegerman writes some witty lines and highlights the effect living under public scrutiny (even if only intermittently) can have, and the cast do an excellent job switching between ages. But, with just three characters (working class Jewish Eastender Alan with a once flourishing knicker manufacturing business, depressive middleclass archivist Tom, and posh, blonde, saddened Catherine) this stage replica fights to sustain a credible plot line and proves only a shadow of the fascinating TV original.
Back in 1963, young researcher Michael Apted was involved in a TV documentary featuring fourteen seven-year-olds being asked about their views and aspirations. Thanks to him, what was intended as a one off programme became a seven-yearly event. 49 Up (involving as many of the original interviewees as were prepared to participate) was screened in 2005, and 56 Up is already planned to follow.
Alexis Zegerman’s mildly entertaining new comedy places just a trio of fictional characters in the same scenario, but begins at the end and finishes at the beginning of the process, with frequent flashbacks to their 21 and 42 year old selves. Like its TV inspiration, it charts the changes the intervening years have wrought and shows how (though some things can be modified by life’s unexpected knocks and unanticipated blessings) fundamentally their basic personalities have barely changed in over four decades.
Zegerman writes some witty lines and highlights the effect living under public scrutiny (even if only intermittently) can have, and the cast do an excellent job switching between ages. But, with just three characters (working class Jewish Eastender Alan with a once flourishing knicker manufacturing business, depressive middleclass archivist Tom, and posh, blonde, saddened Catherine) this stage replica fights to sustain a credible plot line and proves only a shadow of the fascinating TV original.
Hampstead Theatre, Eton Ave, NW3 (020-7722 9301). Until November 22. £15-£25 (under 26s £10)
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