‘McQueen’ is situated in the home of famous fashion
designer, Lee “Alexander” McQueen where he is about to hang himself in the
basement as his cerebral state is not altogether stable. He soon figures out
that he is not along as young woman, Dahlia has broken in to his home as she is
hopeful that she can steal one of the many dresses that he has archived, and
obviously McQueen is much perturbed by Dahlia’s presence. She explains that she
has been watching him from a tree in his garden for the last 11 nights where
she has been seizing the opportunity to thieve one of McQueen’s beautiful
dresses. McQueen thinks Dahlia probably knows more about him than he knows
about himself so he chooses to take her to the tailors where he found his
talent, he states that to make a dress the dress must fit to the person meaning
it has a more personal touch, so he finds some black material so he can swiftly
create the dress. McQueen’s former mentor, Mr. Hitchcock (Michael Bertenshaw)
who is still working there is surprised that McQueen is there, but is more than
thrilled to see him again. As such; he does not inform the police for the
pinched black fabric. The black dress is constructed like magic which shows how
imaginative McQueen was. It appears that McQueen has been hiding a lot of
heartache, this is evident when fashion editor, Isabella Blow (Tracy-Ann
Oberman) makes him realise the positives that he has chosen to reject, and what
he contributed to the fashion industry as an ingenious designer/artist he
became. However when he and Dahlia are sat having an interview with reporter,
Arabella (Laura Rees) about his up-and-coming collection and during the interview
Arabella questions McQueen on the methods of manipulation to his models and the
people who would purchase his garments. Dahlia helps McQueen throughout the
course of the interview and afterwards he takes her to his mother’s flat in
Peckham to show her his routes which is a stark contrast to the lifestyle he
leads now. At the finale, Dahlia who has
left with the dress that McQueen has made, McQueen, alone and very sorrowful
decides to set out his plan to kill himself where he takes the belt out of his
jeans and hangs himself in the basement as
his insecurities seem to overcome him.
Phillips’ narrative is momentous as the story of McQueen’s demise has
been written is a compassionate way that enables you to become quite emotional
by McQueen’s suffering, as such it is not offensive in the slightest.
One found the performances by the company of, ‘McQueen’ to
be magnificently captivating through splendid voice and movements from an awe-inspiring
ensemble of endowed dancers. Stephen Wight is excessive as central protagonist,
Lee “Alexander” McQueen; first and foremost when he learns to be kinder to
Dahlia who has helped him in his last night of living as you can see how he is
increasingly lonely, which is agonisingly sad to see a designer distressing in
this way, plus the solitude that has lead him to committing suicide which is a
heart-breaking moment indeed. Carly Bawden is wonderful as intruder, Dahlia; intrinsically
when she is helping McQueen deal with the interrogation by Arabella, moreover
on the roof of his mother’s tower block leads her to become slightly frightened
by McQueen’s mental state. Excellent
casting by Kate Plantin and Jayne Collins I must say.
John Caird’s direction is glorious here as he has mesmerized
how world renowned fashion designer/artist, Lee “Alexander” McQueen where he is in the process of
self-destruction, in addition the process McQueen visualises his world famous
dresses shows how Caird has considered this in leaps and bounds. As well as,
Christopher Marney’s choreography by suggesting the bleak and dark world that
is fashion and the shows create the harshness of the industry itself. David Farley’s set and costume designs are exemplary
as the set itself of the ripped black material shows the eradication of McQueen’s
life and the costumes present a colourful element of a really intriguing plot.
Furthermore, with David Howe’s lighting and Timothy Bird’s video incorporated
in Marney’s design shows the brilliance of tradition and modern techniques of
theatrical design in a phenomenal fashion. Overall, the experience of, ‘McQueen’
was an animated and eloquent tribute to the late and intelligent designer/artist,
Lee”Alexander” McQueen. Rest in Peace Mr McQueen.
No comments:
Post a Comment