THE GLASS ROOM. To 23 Decmber.
Hampstead
THE GLASS ROOM
by Ryan Craig
Hampstead Theatre To 23 December 2006
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 3pm
Audio-described 18 Dec
Captioned 21 Dec
Post-show discussion 12 Dec
Runs 2hr 40min One interval
TICKETS: 020 7722 9301
www.hampsteadtheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 29 November
Serious debate is often compelling.
When in doubt about a new play’s quality, ask the simple question: Did I enjoy it? It’s a test Ryan Craig’s substantial, but never stodgy, drama is very likely to pass.
Veering between its 2 locations is 31-year old lawyer Myles (Daniel Weyman, exemplary). He rents a room from young journalist landlady Tara. Physically and emotionally, his life is much more ordered than hers. The reason is his lack of commitment. Despite holding strong human rights beliefs, he conceals his Jewishness, evades close relationships and can’t understand the commitment of Elena, the client he represents in the play’s other location.
She’s facing prosecution for her book, which in her view refuses to be bound by political correctness, in others’ is offensive in denying Nazi gas-chambers existed. Arguing from evidence, at which he excels, Myles repeatedly shows Elena’s historically incorrect. At first her self-control wrongfoots him, but as he breaks her case down Elena’s denial of anti-semitism gives way to screaming loathing. It fits thematically (she too denies her motivation) yet weakens a dramatic situation that could have been stronger if the unacceptable ideas were the result of pristine academic idealism.
Craig’s opening lines are formulaic in the tentative, interrupted style frequent in modern dialogue. The final scenes take slightly too long to spell-out each relationship’s resolution. Between, however, Anthony Clark’s direction clearly marks-out the different tempi and tones of Myles’ scenes with his landlady, father and client.
The scenes with Elena have a courtroom-like tension, while back with Tara (Emma Cunniffe splendid as this emotion-led, disorganised yet forceful character), Myles comes under close scrutiny from her and his Jewish father Pete. Clark’s direction encourages an inner conviction which helps the big speeches; Fred Ridgeway’s recounting of Nazi terrorism creates one of those rare moments where an entire audience holds its breath. It wouldn’t if there were a speck of emotional exploitation.
Casting the sympathetic, if sharp, and sophisticated Sian Thomas as Elena prevents her becoming an easy hate-figure. In the end, Craig loads the dramatic dice heavily against her. Yet this remains an intriguing, often engrossing, and consistently finely-played evening.
Myles: Daniel Weyman
Tara: Emma Cunniffe
Pete: Fred Ridgeway
Elena: Sian Thomas
Director: Anthony Clark
Designer: Ruari Murchison
Lighting: Johanna Town
Sound: Gregory Clarke
Assistant director: Noah Birksted-Breen
2006-11-30 13:23:09