Splendour - Abi Morgan
RATING ★★
Directed by Robert Hastie
Donmar Warehouse, until 26th September 2015
03.08.2015
As I sat down in my seat, I absorbed the buzzing atmosphere of the surprisingly small and intimate studio. The minimalistic set, surrounded with shattered glass glinted in the warm theatre lights - I had high hopes for my first visit to the Donmar Warehouse.
Sadly, I left the Donmar feeling quite underwhelmed. Despite attracting some big names to the stage, Cusak and Fairley, the acting left a lot to be desired, with unrealistic tears, bursts of anger and a general feeling of mere line placement.
The nature of the play certainly gripped me at points, with an interesting polyphonic feature used to add depth to the piece. I quite liked the technique of each character reprising parts of earlier dialogue and replaying the same scene to explain their own feelings.
The theme of the play explores the disconnect of those cocooned by power from their people. Overall, I felt that this play lacked the ability to engage either on a thematic or theatrical level.
RATING ★★
Directed by Robert Hastie
Donmar Warehouse, until 26th September 2015
03.08.2015
As I sat down in my seat, I absorbed the buzzing atmosphere of the surprisingly small and intimate studio. The minimalistic set, surrounded with shattered glass glinted in the warm theatre lights - I had high hopes for my first visit to the Donmar Warehouse.
Sadly, I left the Donmar feeling quite underwhelmed. Despite attracting some big names to the stage, Cusak and Fairley, the acting left a lot to be desired, with unrealistic tears, bursts of anger and a general feeling of mere line placement.
The nature of the play certainly gripped me at points, with an interesting polyphonic feature used to add depth to the piece. I quite liked the technique of each character reprising parts of earlier dialogue and replaying the same scene to explain their own feelings.
The theme of the play explores the disconnect of those cocooned by power from their people. Overall, I felt that this play lacked the ability to engage either on a thematic or theatrical level.