Of Mice and Men at the Old Vic

This production by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre is a revival of the show after its successful run at The Savoy last year.

The story, a glimpse into the lives of two friends in northern California struggling for livelihood and purpose in the midst of the Great Depression, has drawn both readers and audiences for decades. In this rendition of the tale, Andrew Schofield gives a moving performance as George Milton, the more sensible and dominant half of the friendship; yet the production quite literally belongs to Joe McGann in his portrayal of Lennie Small. While Lennie possesses uncommon physical strength, his capacity for thought and comprehension is obviously substandard. This mental deficiency is often the cause of difficulty for Lennie and, by association, George, who seems burdened by Lennie's companionship. The play depicts this conflicting friendship with profound accuracy, and leaves the audience empathising with the intense conflict waging inside the characters.