Edinburgh Arts: <i>Faust</i>, parts I and II

Faust, parts I and II

Another great production from the Lyceum, performed with tremendous zest, both in terms of acting and the production. Part II, usually deemed utterly unstageable, did have some longueurs, but we were warned in the prologue that it was going to be difficult and that not everything would make sense.

The key to this production lies in the use of the word "adaptation" rather than "translation". Yes, it's still recognisably Goethe's work, but John Clifford's version of it brought a convincingly modern sheen to the familiar tale. Heaps of contemporary references - most pointedly to a war fought in the name of establishing democracy - and a good deal of strong sexual content (of which oral sex was probably the mildest example), yet none of it detracted from Goethe's themes, which were in fact enhanced by some decidedly cinematic staging.

The two leads are extraordinary, Paul Brennen's interpretation of the title character just edged out by the charismatic swagger of Dugald Bruce Lockhart's Mephistopheles (on the strength of this, his Valmont in the Lyceum's next production, Les liaisons dangereuses, should be self-recommending). Ten actors shared all the other characters between them, the only weak point coming in Douglas Rankine's Valentine, whose protracted death scene could do with some tightening up. This was a minor blemish, however, and Mark Thomson's achievement in staging this unwieldy text is worthy of considerable praise.

Faust, parts I and II, is at the Royal Lyceum Theatre (30B Grindlay St), until Saturday 8th April. Ring the box office (0131 248 4848) for details.

(31st March and 1st April 2006)