His classic Of Mice and Men is starkly brought to life at the Octagon in a production which is powerful, at times harrowing and genuinely thought-provoking. William Young, Lennie, and Stefan Race, Curley (Picture: Pamela Raith) It’s a play which covers so many topics which remain so relevant today - racism, prejudice, misogyny and ableism. Ranch hands working on a remote farm all have hopes and dreams of a better life and yet it forever remains out of reach.
George and Lennie are drifters looking to escape the hardships of the great depression. They are the odd couple - George is wise-cracking smart and Lennie a gentle giant with a child-like view of the world. Liam King as George and William Young as Lennie (alternating the role with Luke Richards) perfectly capture their relationship.
Their’s is a heartbreaking friendship very well told. As an actor with learning difficulties, William Young brings an added dimension to the role of Lennie and he is genuinely compelling to watch. Of Mice and Men is a pretty bleak play - don’t go expecting a happy ending.
This production unravels the many layers hidden in the text with great clarity. Emma Charlton in Of Mice and Men (Picture: Pamela Raith) Emma Charlton as the new wife of the farm boss’s son reveals the frustration and despair of being a vivacious young woman trapped in this harsh world. She dreams of being in the movies but is expected to remain alone in the house, effectively her husband's shiny new possession.
Ranch.
