A Woman On Fire
Quid Pro Quo Theatre's "A Woman on Fire" immerses us in a #domesticdrama set in the late 1950s🔥 The plot revolves around Harper, an aspiring writer battling addiction, her husband Mark, entangled in a forbidden relationship with Oliver, and their nanny, Therese, caught in the middle. Sarah Majland, who also plays Harper, weaves a tale that hints at the complexities of relationships and addiction, but does it ignite the stage?💥🤔
This thrilling four-hander channels the spirit of mid-20th-century American theater, drawing parallels to #ArthurMiller and #SamShepard. The story unfolds with a nuanced exploration of postpartum depression, addiction, and complex relationships. However, it's not without its hiccups...
The production's transitions, marked by disruptive blackouts & actors moving furniture in silence, undermine the intensity of the drama🎭 These moments break the flow & leave the audience somewhat disoriented...
The ensemble starts strongly, but as the play progresses, performances become stiffer, with a sense of waiting for lines rather than genuine responses to the unfolding drama. It occasionally feels like a showcase of acting prowess rather than a seamless portrayal of real emotions...
Yet, within this drama lie poetic interludes, passages from Harper's book, offering glimpses into her rich inner world & space to digest a rather hairy plot with many threads to pull. These moments are captivating, revealing the potential of the script and the depth of Harper's character...
However, the script's motivations sometimes remain unclear, leaving questions about character choices & plot developments. Moments like the awkward dinner party and Therese's actions feel inconsistent with their characters' motivations...
"A Woman on Fire" has the makings of a classic kitchen sink drama, but it needs some tightening in directorial & creative choices to truly ignite the stage. Despite its hiccups, it offers a glimpse into the complexities of addiction, relationships, and the human psyche. 2/5⭐
#newwriting #londontheatre #baronscourttheatre