REVIEW: Brief Encounter, Lyceum Theatre
FIRST written as one of a series of short plays in 1935, Noel Coward's Brief Encounter was filmed by David Lean 10 years later and remains a much-loved classic black and white English movie.
The film reflects the spirit of the time and Coward's new-found
conservatism: it's ever-so English and patriotic. Sacrifices must be made. So in it a couple meet, fall in love, nothing much happens and the couple part, impelled by duty.
Kneehigh Theatre's stage version is adapted and directed by Emma Rice. There is much to admire here: it's visually stunning, seemlessly mixing film and theatre to wonderful effect. Set design (Neil Murray) is inventive and fluent. The puppets (Lyndie Wright) work a treat, too.
Sadly, none of this injects much life into the text itself, which is pedestrian, clunky, and contains very little of the flair and wit of Coward's earlier work. There's good ensemble throughout from the cast and the Coward songlist resonates far better than the play itself.
Hannah Yelland (Laura) and Milo Twomey (Alec) do a decent enough take on the Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard roles; however it's only when they are about to part that they become truly touching.
The story line between the other two couples is sketchily written, leading to a lot of business to flesh it out. Still, Joseph Aleffi (Albert/Fred) is impressive and Beverley Rudd a hit as Beryl. Annette McLaughlin (Myrtle) and Christopher Rice (Stanley) work hard to bring rather one dimensional characters to life.
A visual treat then. The first night audience loved it.
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