Of Mice And Men may not have been on Michael Gove’s list of top reads, but the John Steinbeck classic has lived in the heart of many an avid reader for years. The stage adaptation has also been a favourite and is revived regularly, and this production certainly moved me as much as I remember from reading the novel.

The House, at Birmingham Repertory Theatre lends itself well to this production. Liz Ascroft’s set makes the most of the space available to create the wide open plains feel. The backdrop of open sky really helps create the scene, and Simon Bond’s lighting complements this perfectly to create the mood and achieve a greater sense of confinement in the indoor scenes. The live music played also helps to create the atmosphere, however the musicians were half hidden upstage right and it would have been nice to have been able to see them better.

Roxana Silbert does a good job direction wise: she ensures that important moments in the play are prominent and that the performances are full of detail. Her vision of the play is nothing radical, but one finding truth in a story many of us know so well; there is something about a story just being laid nationalistically on a stage that allows the craft to be plainly seen.

Benjamin Dilloway is a marvel as Lennie. He masterfully finds the tenderness and vulnerability in the complex character and gives a flawless performance throughout. Michael Legge is a dynamic George, although perhaps a little more vocal variety might have added the icing to this performance. The relationship between the two characters makes clear the close bond the pair have and therein sets the foundations for the play.

Lorna Nickson-Brown is suitably fragile and as the dreamer that is Curly’s wife, and Claren O’Brien gives us a very fiery and hot headed Curly. This is a real ensemble production, and such a seemingly close and driven company working together in such a way is always great to see.

The auditorium was filled with students who are still studying the novel, a great thing for theatre – it just is such as shame that such a fantastic and well loved novel will soon no longer be on the syllabus.

A strong and moving production, a classic well loved tale played beautifully.   ★★★★☆       Sam Chipman             15/10/14

All photos © ELLIE KURTTZ