Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Medea, with Sophie Okonedo, at Soho Place. My only Meetup of the week! (until Saturday).
My way there took me past GBK - so I ate there again. I had considered going for "The Duke" - their take on beef Wellington, which I love - but frankly, I do love their chicken too, so I just stuck to that. Their WiFi dropped halfway through my meal, but otherwise I had an excellent experience, as usual - even with the manager taking time out to conduct a job interview, over by the window. I had a moreish burger and delicious, piping hot chips. I tell you though, beware sitting on the sofa in the middle - if anyone sits on the opposite side to you, it bounces like crazy..
Hallelujah that, on the very day when everyone seemed to be on strike, I could walk to the theatre. In particular, the Tube was on strike - and the buses were rammed; a bus queue I passed gave me pause for thought:
There seemed to be a large queue to get into the theatre, too, but it turned out to be just a group of teenagers, standing and chatting.
I'd never been here before, but easily found the group, sitting directly ahead as I entered. We were meeting in the lobby bar, although there is a bar on each level. Speaking of levels, most people in the group got an upgrade - but then, most people booked in the row behind mine! Seems they didn't upgrade the front row - ah well. It just meant an extra flight of stairs - I've had worse climbs.
Nice decor, with a kind of starry effect to the ceiling. I have to compliment them on their reasonable wine prices! They only have one size of wine glass - which I presume is medium - but it's a while since I had wine for under £8 in central London. And yes, I found the cheaper sauvignon blanc very nice. Also, I didn't realise they have a proper restaurant! Mea culpa for not checking, but it's few enough theatres do. Someone from the group had eaten there before we met, and was happy with the food, and the cost. I'll have to ty it, next time.
A brief hello and chat, and we headed upstairs - a couple of us further than others!
The set is, basically, Medea's sitting room, with steps leading down to other living areas that we don't see. Ben Daniels plays all the male roles - he's the first person we see, and is an almost-constant presence throughout; when not on stage, he's usually pacing the outside rim of the stage in slow motion, like a moving figure from a Grecian urn, matching the rather sinister music that maintains the suspense. There's Medea, her nurse/maid, and her two kids with Jason - as with all child actors, they have a number of stand-ins. Nice job, actually - they don't have any lines to learn, just need to follow stage directions, and this pair tonight came on eating Cornettos. Oh, and they have to do a bit of shrieking, offstage, towards the end..
Full marks to the director for planting members of the chorus in the audience - it works a treat, and came as a great surprise. "The women of Corinth", they are, observing and commenting on the action.
We know the story of Medea - her husband, Jason, betrayed her and went off to live with the daughter of the King of Corinth. In fury, Medea murdered their children - this being the best revenge she could exact on Jason. And gee, if you didn't know, you'd have figured it out in this play - they are none too subtle, hinting at it throughout, the aforementioned women of Corinth pleading with her, pointing out how she couldn't possibly do this..
I couldn't resist this play - it's the epitome of calculated rage. Sophie Okonedo gives a tour de force as a wronged woman, rejected by her adopted country, abandoned by her husband, who had professed to love her. Even when she points out to him all the acts she committed against her own people, to help him, he lays all the credit at the feet of Aphrodite, who made Medea love him so that she couldn't keep from helping him. No credit to her at all. If you have a feminist bone in you, you'll be as angry as she is.. It's a deliciously vindictive play, in which she will not be diverted from her purpose - and her purpose is as dark as can be. Yes, she has moments of humanity, in which she is distraught at the thought of what she is going to do - but they never last long. Such a single-minded pursuit of revenge you rarely see, and for anyone who ever wished ill on anyone else, this should prove very satisfying.
Standing ovation well deserved. Runs till the 22nd of next month, if you fancy dipping into the dark side.. and at least the rain wasn't too heavy, on the walk home.
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