THE tendency when adapting Faust can be to veer strongly toward the Gothic, but DumbWise Theatre presents a new musical adaptation, using folks and blues music to breathe life into the piece.

The ensemble cast worked well together, playing a series of instruments and multi-rolling to create a plethora of hellish environments for Faust to journey through. David Burnett in particular was a charming and (as you’d expect) hellish Mephistopheles, engaging with the audience as well as sinisterly shadowing Faust.

The script, adapted from a translation by John R Williams, could split audiences. The rhyming structure of the piece can feel a little forced at times, but this distraction aside, it was faithful to Goethe’s version of the German myth. Most of the action occurs in the first act, which means the second act is in danger of becoming stagnant.

However, the final scene in which we see a deranged Gretchen led to her death is stunning. The doomed relationship is tackled differently to adaptations I’ve seen previously, but I enjoyed how director John Ward presented the taboo nature of Faust’s infatuation with the very young Gretchen, leading her off the path of pious Christianity and of her own sanity.

The music is by the far the best part of the production, and makes the piece enchanting to watch. Be warned, however; it’s a bold new move which will be loved by some, but if you’re a fan of the Marlowe maybe stick to something more traditional.

Review by Louise Jones