• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

dreamplay at The Vaults

September 17, 2016 by Maggie Kelly Leave a Comment

Review of: dreamplay
Produced by:
BAZ Productions
Price:
£10-£15

Reviewed by: Maggie Kelly
Rating:
3
On September 17, 2016
Last modified:September 17, 2016

Summary:

A very confusing if rather beautiful modernisation of Strindberg's famous play.

More Details

Without bigging myself up too much, it is rather rare that I come out of a production quite so nonplussed as I was with dreamplay. There were loose trappings of plot and some truly spectacular individual moments, but when considered as a whole the piece grew as murky as the underground vaults in which they were performing. This piece was a reaction to the famous Strindberg dreamplay, however it’s main problem being that it had to be considered parallel to the original in order to make sense or have some kind of message. Those (like me) that aren’t familiar with the 1907 text were left completely in the dark, I had to do a rather embarrassed mid-show-Wikipedia-lurk to locate myself in the action and start having any sort of opinions about the piece. The issue with plays like this is that, without the pre-existing knowledge of the earlier text, the spectators do not start in the same place as the performers do, and therefore can never be expected to end where they are meant to.

dreamplay-at-the-vaults-courtesy-of-cesare-de-giglio-02Having said this, there were moments of true brilliance that peppered throughout. One of my favourite sequences was a clowning sequence in which a demonic Michelle Luther was being controlled by a rather sadistic Laura Moody on the cello – the switch of power between Luther and Moody was truly electric. However, as with a large numbers of these sketches, I’m not quite sure what exactly it was doing there; it felt like there was no underlying connection or choice as to why they decided to do this section in this style apart from the fact that they thought it would be fun. The link between this and the rest of the piece was missing, thereby rendering what was a fantastic sketch rather useless.

However, once casting the audience as Strindberg’s version of Agnes, there is a odd sense of us being there for something – we are witnessing the sorrows and loves of the people we are there to watch. The problem is when we are switch in and out of this role – audiences are in general rather simple being and having one role is quite enough for us, thank you very much. Giving us the role of witnessing this sadness before introducing a real ‘Agnes’ means there is no one idea underlying this piece from the spectators’ point of view.

I realise I’ve spent a lot of this review pointing out the issues I had with this production – however, I feel a lot of the point of the piece was there to stimulate this debate. I wouldn’t be surprised if the production, reading this, felt glad I was nonplussed – after all, what is theatre for if not to stimulate debate? If not to make you talk to fellow audience members during the production, chatting about the meaning until you’re both distracted by a scene? The audience felt as a whole, equally enjoying and confused by the show, connecting the people involved far more than a usual show. And, surely, that is why Agnes was reborn – because these moments unite us, unite us in a feeling and an appreciation of what the pain and the love of the human race is for.

 

Author: Maggie Kelly

Filed Under: Review

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Richard Vergette on Leaving Vietnam

We spoke to Richard Vergette, writer and performer of Leaving Vietnam. Richard plays a war veteran who feels ignored and [Read More]

Review / The Journey To Venice at the Finborough Theatre

Bjorg Vik’s play The Journey To Venice is a delightful production, entertaining yet full of pathos. A play with a [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Tzarini Meyler talks KITES at VAULT Festival

We spoke to Artistic Director of LipZinc Theatre, writer and performer Tzarini Meyler about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Naomi Westerman talks BATMAN (aka Naomi’s Death Show)

We spoke to writer and performer Naomi Westerman from Little But Fierce about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival Can [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 

From New Perspectives, The Swearing Jar is a comedy about love, heartbreak, living with the past and accepting the future. We spoke to director Angharad [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • The Donmar Warehouse's Julius Caesar at the King's Cross Theatre
  • Is this the real location of Ambridge?
  • The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat
  • Art of Believing at The Space
  • The Bacchae - National Student Drama Festival 2015
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream at Brasenose College, Oxford
  • Abel Law on becoming a musical theatre student during COVID
  • Maggie Kelly
    Author

  • September 17th, 2016
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook1TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!