When Polly Stenham’s ‘That Face’ first opened in the Theatre Upstairs a fuss was made over the fact that the rich were more often to be found in the audience at the Royal Court than appearing on stage as they do here. Now the youthful Stenham’s play – a cross between ‘Mommie Dearest’ and Greek tragedy – has made the gigantic leap into the West End where sink estate angst has never been the norm. Jeremy Herrin’s production sometimes struggles to rise to the challenge of the bigger space, but the play remains intact.
The stage is dominated by a vast, rumpled bed where Lindsay Duncan’s monstrous Martha would like to hide away with her son and a crate of wine. Matt Smith’s Henry has been forced to leave school early in order to keep his mother on an even keel while she does her best to drown them both. At boarding school, Hannah Murray’s neglected Mia has gone off the rails by stuffing a young pupil with her mother’s tranquillisers. Martha’s ex-husband is summoned to sort things out. Only since he abandoned his children and fled to Hong Kong he may not be the ideal person for the task.
It’s no surprise to discover that rich families can be just as unhappy as poor ones. Fortunately, Stenham’s writing is remarkable for its depth of feeling combined with a tart sense of humour. Duncan luxuriates in Martha’s OTT behaviour, but she also allows glimpses of a witty, unusual woman to show through the destructive alcoholic. It’s the play’s final scene you remember as Matt Smith’s Henry describes the claustrophobic world that for him has become the norm, at the same time revealing that it isn’t just Martha who urgently needs help.
2 comments
This is a 'must see' play! Fantastic performances and totally engaging. Don't miss it - it finished 5 July.
absolutely amazing!