Life X 3

‘Life x 3’ is the latest production from Black Swan Theatre Company. This is one of the best known plays by accomplished Franco - Persian playwright Yasmina Reza. Christopher Hampton’s translation from the French has faithfully managed to retain the bittersweet sensitivity of Reza’s work. The 90-minute drama is showing nightly at 7.30, at the Playhouse Theatre until 16^th September. There are also several matinees.

It is just another typical domestic evening in the home of Sonia (Alison van Reeken) and Henri (Greg Stone), when the doorbell rings and there stand their business acquaintances, Hubert (George Shevtsov) and his wife, Inez (Vivienne Garrett). The couple have arrived 24 hours early for a dinner party. The average household would panic should guests appear 20 minutes early, so one can imagine the result of friends arriving a day early. However as the wine flows, tongues become loosened, and then the problems really start.

This play, which is thoughtfully and subtly directed by Lindy Hume, is along the ‘what if?’ lines of ‘Sliding doors’ and ‘Groundhog Day’ however this is a quality script!! Reza has a remarkable skill of creating situations where the moods and relationships of the characters swing dramatically. In the correct hands her plays are enthralling, with this well-respected and hugely talented cast (all major award winners), the play comes off brilliantly. The script must have been a nightmare for the cast to learn, with the situation changes being very subtle and similar cue lines in the three segments, it would be demanding of the players. The whole cast were splendid in capturing the many personae that were demanded. A multitude of laughs and plenty of chauvanistic cringes. George was at his very best, possibly unsurpassed since ‘Miss Bosnia’.

Another very popular play by Reza, ‘Art’, was one of the Old Mill Theatre’s best shows this year.

The ingenious design by John Senczuk, coupled with the lighting design of Matthew Marshall and assistant Caitlin Ryan, confirms for the audience that the same venue is also being seen from a new angle to match the characterisation transformation.

A brilliantly crafted script, superbly presented.