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Written by young Americans John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe, the world premiere of The Fix was staged at London's Donmar Warehouse during the early summer of 1997. Billed as "one man's rise and fall in the political arena", the show opens with the funeral of presidential candidate Reed Chandler, and the decision by his scheming widow Violet that "if I can't be the wife of the President, you can bet your ass I'll be his mother!" So with the assistance of Reed's crippled older brother Grahame she sets out to groom her son Cal for presidential office, and the show charts his progress from drug taking dropout to gradual acceptance of his responsibilities, at which point he declares war on the drug mob and in doing so signs his own death warrant.
Rowe's varied score includes a little of just about everything - rock, country, blues, vaudeville, and a powerful ballad 'Child's Play' sung with great intensity by John Barrowman. With his clean-cut good looks reminiscent of JFK, John was ideally cast for the role of Cal Chandler. But by far the most outstanding performance came from Philip Quast, who received a second Olivier Award for his beautifully observed portrayal of Grahame Chandler, a crippled, stammering wreck of a man who has spent his entire life in the shadow of his younger brother. Described by the Observer as "a mesmerising scorpion" and by Applause magazine as "Richard III in a lounge suit, twisted and fabulous", Philip spent the entire show either on crutches or in a wheelchair as he attempted to gain first for his brother and then for his nephew the success he could never hope to achieve for himself. Hard as it might be to imagine Philip as an unattractive stammering cripple, he was totally convincing throughout, seeming to relish the black humour which was particularly evident in his scenes with the domineering Violet, but also appearing distressingly vulnerable to her bitchy attacks on his physical and emotional failings.
The Fix was my first opportunity to see Philip perform on stage, and what a splendid opportunity it was. I should explain that the Donmar is a small intimate venue with just 250 seats, and is an open stage theatre where the actors walk through the audience to get on set. To be so close to the performers is a thrill in itself. But to feel Philip's beautiful baritone voice wash over you from a distance of just a few yards is a magical, never to be forgotten experience. His speaking voice too has such depth and power, and his American accent was convincingly authentic. His diverse talents were put to good use in songs such as 'Two Guys At Harvard' in which Grahame's physical shortcomings are contrasted humorously but painfully with his brother's perfection, and 'First Came Mercy' during which it was almost unbearable to witness his intense grief and suffering. Stunning lighting techniques during the latter helped it achieve a mesmeric effect, making it the most powerfully dramatic moment of the entire show.
Sadly, The Fix was to close after a run of just two months, but those of us fortunate enough to have seen Sam Mendes' vibrant production and to have witnessed Philip Quast's definitive portrayal of Grahame Chandler will remember it fondly for years to come.
