SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE. To 2 February.
Coventry.
SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE
by Ingmar Bergman adapted by Joanne Murray-Smith from a literal translation by Maria Aberg.
Belgrade Theatre To 2 February 2008.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed & Sat 2.15pm.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.
Start: 7.30 pm.
TICKETS: 024 7655 3055.
www.belgrade.co.uk
Review: Jan Pick 15 January.
Marriage Lines tested to destruction.
A clutter of furniture to the side of an empty set at Belgrade’s b2 space threatens the bare stage, as a clutter of emotions, evasions – and, indeed, ‘refusals’ – accrue and clutter a relationship. Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage is not a comfortable evening out as it charts the disintegration of a seemingly happy marriage with all the attendant pain, frustration, anger and despair involved.
This adaptation by Joanne Murray- Smith, starring Imogen Stubbs and Iain Glen as Marianne and Johan, brings in more characters from the original television series and film than earlier stage versions - most memorably the searing tour de force at Chichester in 1990. The larger cast has the benefit of broadening out the story, but does dissipate the intensively forensic examination of the situation as it pulls the focus away from the central couple.
Imogen Stubbs is excellent as Marianne, shattered by the abruptness of the shocking discovery that her apparently rock-steady marriage and comfortable world of happy families is collapsing. Iain Glen's Johan is also good, though slightly less convincing, as we observe his journey from smug arrogance to a bemused acceptance of his imperfections. The cast expertly draw out the humour inherent in our messy lives – Marianne’s attempt to cope with a huge emotional shock whilst trying to chew through a mouthful of sandwich is beautifully done! – as well as demonstrating the horrors of marital meltdown.
Dominic Jephcott and Tilly Blackwood provide an excellent cameo as the friends embarrassingly trapped in their own unbearable relationship and DeNica Fairman convinces as a woman determined to end a loveless relationship, consulting Marianne in her capacity as a divorce lawyer.
The first half is too long, protracted by the constant moving of furniture on and off the stage between scenes, interrupting the action and getting in the way of the emotional flow of the story. The pace quickens after the interval and as the marriage falls apart and violence spills over, we are sucked into an emotional roller coaster which almost compensates for the somewhat slow beginning.
Johan: Iain Glen
Marianne: Imogen Stubbs
Peter/Arne: Dominic Jephcott
Katerina/Eva: Tilly Blackwood
Mrs Palm/Mrs Jacobi: DeNica Fairman
Director: Trevor Nunn
Designer: Robert Jones
Lighting: Paul Pyant
Sound: Martyn Davies
Fight arranger: Terry King
2008-01-23 11:29:12