Theatre review: Six Characters in Search of an Author (London, West End)
Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1DÂ 6AR – map
Rating: ** (out of 5)
London-production type: West End
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Date of review: 8 October 2008
Italian author Luigi Pirandello is a wonderfully clever writer who can create the most beautiful images on stage through his words – as he has done with this play. And because the original premise of this piece is so good, and the reviews for this show at the Gielgud were also good, I was indeed eager to go and see it – for only a tenner*!
However, sadly, this production is nothing like the original. Modernised and set within a framestory of a film crew making a piece about euthanasia that they are not happy with, the six characters enter the film crew’s lives (or moreover ‘reality’ – as this is one of the main themes within the play) and begin to play out their tale.
The story within the story – ie why the six characters are there is very intriguing. Looking very noir (perhaps something from the Addams family), as they are dressed in black with powdered faces, a mother, her four children (two boys, two girls) and their stepfather tell their tale of incest and death using a good deal of Pirandello’s original language.
Fortunately, this carries most of the piece for a traditionalist, like me, who doesn’t like how the story has been interspersed with the modern-day film documentary. The other excellent part of the play was in Act Two when the little girl dies in the pond. It was eerily captivating as, on a dim stage, she slowly drowns in a large, underlit fish tank.
For people wanting an innovative piece of theatre, they will be pleasantly satisfied. Plus, the six characters are all excellently acted. However, Pirandello traditionalists may be disappointed of how this beautiful work has been skewed.
Further information:
Gielgud Theatre (Official site includes information about this show)
Luigi Pirandello (Wikipedia)
