Fresh from the lofty heights of BBC Radio 4, the lascivious landowner Christian Brighty steps into the Junk Poets tent for a new escapade that broaches many questions. Who is the mysterious Masked Magpie? Is the Brighty the boy to broach a more inclusive Britain? Why do the peasants hate the person who put their rents up? (a question nobody can identify with, we’re sure)
Brighty serves high-jinks and a squirt of sauce in this journey of dalliances, discovery and Deliveroo by fishing rod. From semi-synced swashbuckling to an attempt at self-awareness – goodness, Lord Brighty is having quite the breakthrough. Get the fans out, ladies. That attention-seeking posho we loathe to love is still very much there though, just look a little closer. Volunteer to worship/whip him and your wish may just be granted – you know who you are. You may even get to wrap your lips round his grapes, you lucky, lucky peasant.
All silliness aside, Brighty is an accomplished actor with ample creativity at play here. The plot for this performance is truly jam-packed, with palpable energy that just won’t quit. There’s a sense that with this new material Brighty could do with taking things a little slower, particularly when playing multiple roles in a scene. Give the audience the opportunity to squeeze all the juice out of the plot and the players. The pay-off could be plentiful. This is very much a work in progress and wrinkles will be ironed out over time.
This adventure will serve and satisfy fans of Christian Brighty, and anyone with a penchant for a good story. If you like peculiar period dramas, posh-boys-gone-rogue and amorous character comedy antics, you’ll love Outlord.
Reviewed on 31 May.
