BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S To 9 January 2010.
London.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
based on the book by Truman Capote stage adaptation by Samuel Adamson.
Theatre Royal Haymarket SW1Y 4HY To 9 January 2010.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed and Sat 2.30pm.
Runs 2hr 40min One interval.
TICKETS: 0845 481 1870.
www.breakfastattiffanys.co.uk
Review: Geoff Ambler 29 September.
Truman Capote’s book on stage makes a bland Breakfast.
Will anyone go to see this because they loved Truman Capote’s novel? Breakfast At Tiffany’s may remain a much loved movie, but anyone expecting its emotional force is likely to be brought up short by Samuel Adamson's new adaptation of Capote's book. Apparently, the writer's estate would only release the rights to a stage production if it was based on the book and not the film that Capote thought "a mawkish valentine".
Mawkish valentine this certainly isn’t. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the play, is the story of William Parsons, a young writer new to New York, and his brief, intense and chaotic infatuation with Holly Golightly, his beautiful, unconventional neighbour, with an unknown past and an unpredictable future. Parsons quickly becomes embroiled in her affairs, suitors and mob links, as events change his life and shape his future.
Anna Friel takes on the challenge of recreating Holly Golightly head on and handles it well. She is fascinating to watch, however lacking the material is. Flighty sophisticate, impulsive child and worldly woman; once a caged bird now living a hedonistic life, flouting conventions and a Hollywood career; living and loving New York. Sean Mathias' production of Adamson's adaptation sees cynicism and realism replace the film Holly’s naiveté. Dreams of romance still rule her, but without sentimentality. It isn’t until the last scene that we truly see her suffer, her world tumbling around her as she prepares to flee the city and William.
The play passes without creating a bond with its audience, its harsher, colder Holly, without any emotion, making it a bland affair.
Designer Anthony Ward’s brownstone fire stairs bookend the stage, stunning projections light-up the set with sky and NY skylines and Friel looks elegant despite a succession of improbable wigs. Joseph Cross impresses as the writer in turmoil. However it is with the sadly underutilised James Dreyfus as gruff, acerbic Hollywood agent O J Berman that the play delights. The party scene is witty, fast and hilarious; acting, writing, design and direction spot on, hinting how it all could have been.
Holly Golightly: Anna Friel.
William Parsons: Joseph Cross.
Joe Bell: Dermot Crowley.
Mr Yunioshi: Nicholas Goh.
Madame Spanella/Mr O'Shaughnessy/Nurse: Suzanne Bertish.
Sid Arbuck/Harry Arvin: David Phelan.
O J Berman: James Dreyfus.
Party Girls/Fezzonetti: Annie Hemmingway.
Party Guest: Paul Courtenay Hyu.
Middy Munson: Natalie Klamar.
Rusty Trawler: James Bradshaw.
Mag Wildwood: Gwendoline Christie.
Jose Ybarra-Jaegar: Felix D'Alviella.
Doc Golightly/O'Connor/Sally Tomato: John Ramm.
Tiffany's Salesman: Sam Hoare.
Director: Sean Mathias.
Designer: Anthony Ward.
Lighting: Bruno Poet.
Sound: Paul Groothuis.
Composer/Musical Director: Grant Olding.
Choreographer: Wayne McGregor.
2009-10-04 00:44:22