Tag Archives: Jodie Whittaker

“The Duchess [of Malfi]” at the Trafalgar Theatre

It’s hard to add to a Jacobean tragedy – they are already… extra. Zinnie Harris, who has adapted and directed John Webster’s revenge play, gives it a good go. There are flaws here, but also lots of ideas. It’s a blunt, brisk affair, but always interesting.

Webster took a character as his title, and the production boasts a star in the lead. Jodie Whittaker, playing the recently widowed noblewoman who falls in love with her steward, is great and clearly relishes the show’s intensity.

Harris, however, focuses on her ensemble and the result is mixed. Decisions will fascinate those that know the original play – who kills who is tweaked – but run the danger of being confusing. Harris senses the problem and projects character names on to the stage. This help is welcome, but it feels as if the action is being set up for too long. There are benefits to giving each character their due. The theme of servitude comes into focus: the hired killer, Bosola, and Cariola, the maid, are highlighted and Jude Owusu and Matti Houghton, who take these roles, really shine. Romance also does well: Joel Fry’s Antonio (another servant) is appealing and is given more to do than in the original.

The cutesy chemistry between Whittaker and Fry is odd, but effective. We feel for both when it comes to their separation. As for the punishment the Duchess suffers – for her secret marriage and children – the production is appropriately horrific, albeit effortful. Of course, scenes of torture are going to be difficult to watch. But surely discomfort needn’t come from the sound design. When the Duchess is deprived of sleep by the playing of loud noise, the production becomes – literally – painful.

Things get better. Bringing the Duchess, and other characters who suffer a similar fate, back the stage as ghosts is a great move – suitably spooky and leading to more fine moments from Whittaker. The trouble is that your ears might still be ringing.

Not all of the production’s problems down to Harris. Updating the language to use a lot of expletives is brave and forceful. It’s a shame it results in a lot of giggles from the audience. But the biggest issue is Webster’s villains – the Duchess’ brothers. Paul Ready, as the Cardinal, is effectively repulsive (and the twist on the murder of his mistress a stroke of genius). But emphasising the character’s knowing hypocrisy makes the role flat. It’s even worse for Ferdinand, who is simply a psychopath. Rory Fleck Byrne is good in the role (he is genuinely scary) but there’s too little descent into madness and the insanity is extravagant. With so many changes to the play, why keep the idea of him being a werewolf? Of course, it’s tough to take the brothers’ warped justifications and outrage over their sister seriously. But Harris doesn’t even allow us to entertain their reasoning and loses too much tension as a result.

Until 20 December 2024

www.theduchessplay.com

Photo by Marc Brenner

“Antigone” at the National Theatre

As if to remind us that Greek woes are nothing new, the National Theatre’s new production of Antigone shows a state in danger of becoming incapacitated by chaos. And the bankers can’t be blamed on this occasion. Sophocles’ drama continues the tale of the Oedipus clan – it’s the story of the clash between his daughter and Thebes’ new ruler, Creon. Easily read as a conflict between the individual and the state, it could be set in pretty much any time and place. Polly Findlay and her designer Soutra Gilmour opt for a 70s feel that works well: distant, yet recognisable.

Don Taylor’s eloquent version drips with Shakespearean references: it’s speedy, clear and entertaining. But what to do with the chorus? As in many modern productions of Greek tragedy, the chorus is turned into a group of individuals with their own characters. The result here is that the commentary of this group of civil servants and military types often comes too close to office tittle-tattle. The move allows Findlay to get the most out of her ensemble and adds weight to some brief but effective observations about the sexism within the play, but despite all this, these aren’t fully developed characters and that can be unsatisfying.

But given the strength of the main performances, this is a minor gripe. Jodie Whittaker is tremendous in the title role. Full of convincing indignation about the fate of her family, she has a manic edge that gives some credence to the idea of her as “an enemy of the state”, adding drama and giving her character depth. Christopher Ecclestone’s performance as the tyrannical Creon is not to be missed. Powerful and controlled, for a portion of the play Creon seems admirably rational, and Ecclestone reveals his hubris with remarkable skill.

Until 21 July 2012

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Photo by Johan Persson

Written 1 June 2012 for The London Magazine