Chariots of Fire, Hampstead

One track grind

God bless Vangelis. His iconic electronic soundtrack for Chariots of Fire blasts through the auditorium at Hampstead Theatre, lifting hearts and spirits as the fittest cast in London runs around that versatile space like gazelles on the veldt chasing the sun. Even as you're wondering why nobody edited Mike Bartlett's dull and dense script, you're caught up in the energy of the movement and the moment.

The story of the rivalry between post war runners Harold Abrahams - a Cambridge man forever on the periphery because of his Jewish ancestry - and Eric Liddel, the principled Scot who ran for God and would not break the Sabbath, is well documented. The film around which the play has been modeled elegantly portrayed their personal and shared struggles in the run up to the 1924 Olympics where both struck gold. The scenes of young men running across the sands to that music is forever etched on the minds of those who saw it.

It is to Director, Ed Hall's credit, that he has taken a chance with a story that's so well drawn, and his choreographer, Scott Ambler, has created fluid, high impact interactions to keep cast and action moving. They run literally miles each night, an effect achieved by theatre in two rounds. The first tier of stalls seats is placed around a central, circular stage which is itself a track. A second, single lane, running track has been laid between the first and second tier seats so the cast literally runs through the audience. It brings out the best. Jack Lowden as Eric Liddel is highly endearing. James McArdle is a closed, complex Abrahams.

In conclusion: It's hard to turn an action film into theatre gold. Telling the story is a struggle and there is a lot of Gilbert and Sullivan dropped in, which is confusing. The ambition, the running and the timing, however, will make it a hot ticket.

References
Charles Spencer review in The Daily Telegraph
Hampstead Theatre, tickets

Hampstead Theatre is on Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EU. This production is now over.