PEER GYNT. To 24 February.

London

PEER GYNT

by Henrik Ibsen translated by Terje Tveit

Hackney Empire To 24 February 2007
Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Mat Sat 2.30pm
Runs 3hr 10min One interval

TICKETS: 020 8985 2424
Review: Harriet Davis 16th February

A director’s reach can exceed his grasp.
Following a successful run at The National Theatre of Norway in January, Dale Teater Kompani continue performing this epic interpretation of Ibsen’s classic morality-play.

And epic it is. Gynt’s ill-fated adventures cover three continents, countless characters and a multitude of elaborate settings. Lords, Kings and Eastern Princesses come and go, but Gynt remains strangely unmoved. His stoic refusal to take responsibility for his actions (both personal and political) renders him all but infantile, until a final reunion with estranged wife Solveig teaches him the value of love over vanity.

There is something to be said for the sheer ambition of this production. It is a brave choice of play, and work of this scope is unusual. Terje Tveit’s complex direction works nicely with the (somewhat overlarge) ensemble cast. Their writhing bodies create beautiful dreamscape images, which quickly turn to nightmares as the darkness creeps in. Tveit makes heavy use of symbolism – sometimes too heavy – but maintains a firm grasp of the play’s weighty themes.

The cast are excellent, and clearly accustomed to working as a group. There is a natural ease to their interactions that is a joy to watch. The music provides a vibrant atmosphere and Funnuala McNulty’s lighting is inspired.

The problem however, lies with Tveit’s choice of emphasis. At just over three hours in total, this is a marathon production. If there is not sufficient variation in and between scenes, the audience will inevitably drift. Tveit’s approach is often heavy-handed, and several scenes that ought to be blistering – not least that in which Gynt’s heroic mother dies – are quite simply too long. Gynt final dance with death is endless. Which is a shame, because these scenes begin beautifully.

Overall, there is much to be admired. The Arabian dance in the second act is mesmerizing and the dinner party elegantly staged. There are plenty of visual (and visceral) thrills, but ultimately the pacing – or lack of - and unrelenting tone let this otherwise-rich production down. Instead of being elated, we are simply exhausted.

Cast: Sarah Alborn, Mathew Butler, Anna Delchev, Paul Engers, Tom Foster, Allix Holland, Maddy Myles, Viola Newbury, Philip Oakland, Jamie Partridge, Elena Saurel, Abby Stobart, Luke Thompson, Holly Thurman, Bethany Webb

Director: Terje Tveit
Lighting: Finnuala McNulty

2007-02-21 00:20:46