Post by joem on May 29, 2023 0:28:35 GMT
Interesting adaptation by Timberlake Wertenbaker of the 1953 novel by Henri-Pierre Roche which was made internationally famous by Francois Truffaut's film starring Jeanne Moreau
A play about a threesome or about a modern way of living and loving? At the time it was set (action starts in 1907 although the novel made it much later) it would have been revolutionary - the woman has the upper hand and the men's deep friendship would be seen as at the very least homoerotic now. But I do get the feeling that love and lust merge in the author's mind as do friendship and narcissism. In the end the loves and friendships in the play are mostly self-serving.
The staging was simple but effective, an abstract blue on white background somewhat reminiscent of Matisse is neutral but attractive and the use of the water effect with bubbles for the two scenes which involve jumping into the Seine were realistic and dramatically well used. Good acting by the three-strong cast, pared down from novel and film.
Imaginatively directed by Stella Powell-Jones, the new artistic director, the Jermyn Street Theatre rarely disappoints and it certainly didn't on this occasion.
A play about a threesome or about a modern way of living and loving? At the time it was set (action starts in 1907 although the novel made it much later) it would have been revolutionary - the woman has the upper hand and the men's deep friendship would be seen as at the very least homoerotic now. But I do get the feeling that love and lust merge in the author's mind as do friendship and narcissism. In the end the loves and friendships in the play are mostly self-serving.
The staging was simple but effective, an abstract blue on white background somewhat reminiscent of Matisse is neutral but attractive and the use of the water effect with bubbles for the two scenes which involve jumping into the Seine were realistic and dramatically well used. Good acting by the three-strong cast, pared down from novel and film.
Imaginatively directed by Stella Powell-Jones, the new artistic director, the Jermyn Street Theatre rarely disappoints and it certainly didn't on this occasion.
