Thérèse Raquin. To February 7
Basingstoke
THERESE RAQUIN
by Emile Zola adapted by Julia Bardsley
Haymarket Theatre To 7 February 2004.
MonSat 7.45 pm Mat Thursday 29th January, Saturday 7th February 2pm
Runs 2hr 16min One Interval
TICKETS: 01256 465566
www.haymarket.org.uk
Review Mark Courtice: 3rd February
Classy French Classic
When he wrote Thérèse Raquin Zola apparently thought he was writing some kind of scientific study of what happens when a highly sexed man meets a repressed woman. On the evidence of Julia Bardsley's adaptation at Basingstoke what he actually wrote was a fully fledged melodrama.
From the stunning chord at curtain up to the big shocker at the first act closer, through apparitions and bodies and illicit sex in the afternoon, Alasdair Ramsey's production takes up the melodrama's challenges and goes at them full on. The treatment is confident and fully thought through with lots of theatricality that is genuinely entertaining. Often cheerfully gruesome, the tone makes room for genuine emotion when needed.
Aided by Martin Jacob's steeply raked set that trickles and seeps with real running water, and economically creates the Raquin's small shop and crowded, restrictive home, there is lots of atmosphere here.
The whole thing is well served by the production team at the Haymarket. Although Simon Hutchings' lighting is heavy handed and Jon Nicholls' alarmingly atmospheric sound track is sometimes loud enough to disrupt rather than underscore, it is all impeccably timed.
The problem with stage adaptations of novels is that they can end up with huge amounts of narration. This happens here, and although the resident ensemble do their considerable best with it, too often we end up wishing they could get on and act, rather than narrate.
When they do act there are pleasures to be had. Matthew Rixon makes Laurent sexy and beefy in contrast to Tom Bevan's weedy Camille. The latter, played as always slightly damp and slightly green, is deeply unattractive but not unpleasant - a thoughtful performance.
Phoebe Soteriades works cleverly with the contrast between Thérèse's early miserable stillness and the febrile activity born of lust and, later, guilt. Ron Meadows and Alan Blyton make good use of the opportunities that are offered by the gossipy neighbours who provide a commentary on the unfolding tragedy.
Well cast, confidently directed and supported by a team on top form, this classy classic is a fitting climax to the Haymarket French season.
Madame Raquin: Kate Doherty
Camille Raquin: Tom Bevan
Thérèse Raquin: Phoebe Soteriades
Michaud: Ron Meadows
Grivet: Alan Blyton
Laurent: Matthew Rixon
Director: Alasdair Ramsay
Designer: Martin Johns
Lighting Design: Simon Hutchings
Composer: Jon Nicholls
2004-02-08 02:14:14