Cause Célèbre (or the things we do to each other)

Of all the juicy theatre I wanted to see, I did manage one: Cause Célèbre. It was a puzzling piece of theatre, much debated and deconstructed on the train home. Similar to Flare Path, I had to ask myself whether Rattigan was just labouring an obvious point or whether the real probing question was something quite different.

Flare Path by Terence Rattigan

Currently playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, the Rattigan revival Flare Path is an enjoyable piece of mainstream theatre. This was my first Rattigan play and, given my previously stated affinity for Tennessee Williams, I was curious to see the work of his British counterpart (in age at least). The differences were striking, although of course not solely attributable to geography.

A (Post) Modern Prometheus

The new theatrical interpretation of Frankenstein by Nick Dear is most fascinating for the statements it doesn't make, rather than any attempts to make a statement, but Danny Boyle's excellent production is a stunning experience for the soul and the two actors deserve the wide praise they are receiving. Former colleagues on an adaptation of, quite appropriately, The Last Days of Don Juan, Nick Dear and Danny Boyle embarked on this project with a clear appreciation for Mary Shelley's novel and its fascination for a modern audience. The production is particularly novel because the two lead actors switch roles every night, creating two very different productions. Although I agree with the general opinion of reviewers that it is difficult to choose which casting is better, I will conclude this review with my own impression.