Reviews are in for Playboy of the West Indies

Playboy of the West Indies has had its press night at Birmingham Rep, and the reviews are in for Michael Taylor’s design.

Writing for WhatsOnStage (****), Diane Parkes notes “Designed by Michael Taylor, the set takes us into the rum shop where Peggy's serving counter is a visible defence against the world.”

The Reviews Hub (****) point out how “Michael Taylor’s set positively oozes the Caribbean. There are slightly ramshackle shacks – that cleverly revolve to form the interior of the rum shop, where most of the action takes place."

The Times also make special mention of “Michael Taylor’s set design, depicting a humble rum shop with a corrugated tin roof, is exceptionally atmospheric."

Mark Fisher, for The Guardian, comments on how characters interact with the set: “He (Durone Stokes) is matched in assurance by Gleanne Purcell-Brown as Peggy, serving the rum in a wooden shack that looks as if it has drifted in with the tide on Michael Taylor’s set.”

Broadway World remark how “As soon as you walk into the theatre, you are carried away to tropical shores, with Michael Taylor's intricate set perfectly evoking a ramshackle rum shop by the sea, surrounded by towering palm trees.”

The show runs at Birmingham Rep until 2 July. For more information on the show, head to their website.

Co-directed by Clement Ishmael, Nicolas Kent and Dominique Le Gendre;
Composed by Clement Ishmael and Dominque Le Gendre;
Lyrics by Clement Ishmael, Nicolas Kent and Dominique Le Gendre and Mustapha Matura;
Written by Mustapha Matura;
Choreography and Movement Direction by Ingrid Mckinnon;
Fight Direction by Yarit Dor;
Design by Michael Taylor;
Costume Design by Natalie Pryce;
Lighting Design by Matt Eagland;
Sound Design by Tony Gayle;
Musical Direction by Ian Oakley.