Post by joem on Aug 14, 2017 21:05:57 GMT
An interesting and enjoyable play. A dying George Orwell finally enjoying lterary and financial success plucks up the courage to propose to a much younger woman - Sonia Brownell, a friend he knows who is assistant editor at the literary magazine Horizon - in the hope she can save him with love. But she is in love with someone else and not averse to the attentions of a sleazy, manic Lucian Freud. Meanwhile important business and, as becomes increasingly apparent, literary legacy decisions need to be taken.
The action takes place in the hospital room, and the corridor outside, where Orwell is being treated for tuberculosis. Decent staging.
Good performances all round. Peter Hamilton Dyer is very good as Orwell; instantly recognisable as the dying writer, wide-eyed, clipped accent and cruel wit, torn between groundless hope and despair. Cressida Bonas is his wife-to-be, compassionate but cynical. Sneaky suspicion there were a sprinkling of Sloane Rangers around (if they still exist?) as I am told Cressida Bonas was Prince Harry's girlfriend? Wonder what they made of the Old Red Lion... it's not quite Harvey Nicks.
The play is well-written, tight, tells a story and gives you some food for thought. Crucially, it has Orwell and Freud in it, important figures in 20th century culture. This is crying out for a transfer to a larger fringe venue or somewhere like Trafalgar Studios. Sold out but there may be some returns.
The action takes place in the hospital room, and the corridor outside, where Orwell is being treated for tuberculosis. Decent staging.
Good performances all round. Peter Hamilton Dyer is very good as Orwell; instantly recognisable as the dying writer, wide-eyed, clipped accent and cruel wit, torn between groundless hope and despair. Cressida Bonas is his wife-to-be, compassionate but cynical. Sneaky suspicion there were a sprinkling of Sloane Rangers around (if they still exist?) as I am told Cressida Bonas was Prince Harry's girlfriend? Wonder what they made of the Old Red Lion... it's not quite Harvey Nicks.
The play is well-written, tight, tells a story and gives you some food for thought. Crucially, it has Orwell and Freud in it, important figures in 20th century culture. This is crying out for a transfer to a larger fringe venue or somewhere like Trafalgar Studios. Sold out but there may be some returns.
