LARKIN WITH WOMEN till 7 June
Coventry
LARKIN WITH WOMEN: Ben Brown
Belgrade with Richard Jordan Prods Ltd: Tkts 024 7655 3055
Runs 2h, one interval, till 7 June
Review: Rod Dungate 27 May 2003
Gentle, witty and intriguing portrait
Lots of people were a bit surprised when they discovered that, what we thought of as dusty old Philip Larkin, actually had a lively sex life. The man didn't quite neatly join up him being a librarian and all that. But there was his jazz too . . .
Ben Brown sets out to explore the sexual side of Larkin and his relationships with the women he shared it with. What emerges is a gentle, easy-going, often witty and interesting portrait of a man quietly struggling in a very English way with a darkness deep inside him. In Brown's portrait Larkin does have the ability to feel and express joy but seems to be afraid of it, even to fear it. He imprisons it within a shell of English tetchiness – which often shows itself as barbed and very funny satire.
We must assume that the three women in his life – academic Monica, librarian Maeve and PA Betty – saw through all this to his vulnerability. Vulnerable themselves, warm – I hesitate to say loving – and lasting relationships are created. Hmm, there's a message about life and love.
I think Larkin comes out of this well. Despite his bursts of insufferable rudeness and insensitivity, he seems like the sort of poet it might be fun to be with. As long as you could give as good as you get of course.
John Arthur gives a terrific performance as Larkin: for the most part it's a low-key performance that establishes firmly Larkin's style of semi-detached living. However he has a sparkle and energy that ensures interest never lapses. Marilyn Taylerson, Jessica Martin and Julia Hills (Monica, Maeve, Betty) complete the beautifully balanced team. These three characters are all different in their own ways. The women play with delicacy and dignity: although the love seems to be all from their side we do not see them as victims.
Director David Giles handles the script with sensitivity. The pace is unhurried – which may not be to everyone's taste but I rather like it. Ben Brown includes poetic extracts as voice-overs. These don't really work. While they are meant, no doubt, to shed light on the debate: in their disembodied form it's hard to take them in. For them really to have an impact they need to be more cleverly integrated within the whole.
Philip Larkin: John Arthur
Monica: Marilyn Taylerson
Maeve: Jessica Martin
Betty: Julia Hills
Director: David Giles
Design: Kenneth Mellor
Lighting: Mike Robertson
Sound: Steve Wilson
2003-05-28 09:56:24