Farewell to the Theatre

Thursday, 1 March 2012 - Saturday, 7 April 2012
Times : 15:00 - 17:30 19:30 - 22:00

Hampstead Theatre, Swiss Cottage Centre, Primrose Hill, NW3 3EX

How Much: £22.00 (Highest Price) , £12.00 (Lowest Price)

It's always a shame when the programme proves to be more intersting that the play, as is the case with Richard Nelson's solemn show about goodbyes. 

It's based around a historical moment in the life of Edwardian playwright Harley Granville-Barker, who we find on the brink of divorce accompanied by a group of theatrical British expats in America. All are in a place they love but struggle to belong and each  has interests and concerns beyond the world of theatre, though not very far beyond.

Barker is the worst. Pouty about his great medium, he is unable to divorce his actress wife nor marry his rich (also married) girlfriend. It's easy to become as uninterested in him as he is in theatre. 

The supporting characters however, do have a bit more of a story to tell but only a bit. Lecturer Henry (Louis Hilyer) is bullied by a fellow English teacher while reciter of Dickens' great texts, Frank (Jason Watkins), has his own tragedy to deal with quietly. Jemma Redgrave's delicate performance as Henry's widowed sister stands out as she explores the idea of letting go. With this character Nelson is at his best, making us think and question but he sadly chooses not to follow through with any of the others characters - including Barker - at this level, leaving us with little to chew on. 

Naima Khan