THE BLUE ROOM by David Hare. Theatre Royal, York in rep to 15 November.

York

THE BLUE ROOM
by David Hare

Theatre Royal, York In rep to 15 November 2001
Runs 2hr 15min One interval

TICKETS 01904 623568
Review Timothy Ramsden 20 October

Hare's reworking of Schnitzler's sex scenes strikes a chord, hitting all the right notes in York.What a sour history of sex there's been this autumn at York. From young love's course not running smooth in 16th century England with the Dream, to sex as power manipulation in 18th century France and Les Liaisions Dangereuses and now the itches and pantings of physical desire in Freudian Vienna, where Arthur Schnitzler's Reigen was set.

The play, re-launched on the 1940s in soft focus as Max Ophuls' film La Ronde, was recently re-written by Hare, with its new round-dance of sexual couplings (one partner from each scene taking up a new liaison in the next) set in late 20th century London.

It's a difficult transition, from highly corseted old Vienna to a modern free-flowing metropolis and along the way we are treated to David's view of modern theatre. The blue room itself is a fantasy in a song lyric performed by Malcolm Scates' Playwright, the character most obviously in love with his own reputation – though self-absorption is common enough among these people. Sex is very selfish as these characters dally, bed and part.

Co-directors Lucy Pitman-Wallace and Damian Cruden have cut the performance tables, projections saying how long each sex act takes. Instead, effectively enough, at the moment of coupling, Richard G. Jones' lighting focuses on the body parts displayed along the curve of Dawn Allsopp's set (which has adapted appropriately to each of the three plays in this season). It's an aptly cool sequence considering the characters' generally non-ecstatic post-coital state.

Four actors share the ten roles. Scates, Katherine Kelly, James Garnon and Andrina Carroll provide clear characterisations. Kelly's Model is a picture of inward discontent under a successful image, while the dressing-room scene between Carroll's successful actress and Garnon's aristocrat stands out for her volatile glamour and his detached fogeyish presence.

The co-directors pace the action with care and the various scenes' individual detail rightly stay within the icy grip of cold sex coolly analysed.

Girl/Au Pair/Model: Katherine Kelly
Cab Driver/Politician/Playwright: Malcolm Scates
Student/Aristocrat: James Garnon
Married Woman/Actress: Andrina Carroll

Co-Directors: Lucy Pitman-Wallace/Damian Cruden
Designer: Dawn Allsopp
Lighting: Richard G. Jones
Composer: Christopher Madin
Sound: Matt Savage

2001-10-22 16:40:35