‘Lady Chatterley’s lover’
09/05/11
Hull Truck Theatre
Studio
I was apprehensive about this performance before even entering the theatre. I don’t know about other people, but no matter how many shows a see, i always empathize with the actors backstage. First hand knowledge has taught me that studio performances aren’t that easy to fill. Audiences will quite happily book tickets to see ‘Chicago’ in the west end or ‘Shakers’ by John Godber. I don’t condemn doing it. I mean, who doesn’t want to see a Godber play or a fab musical?! However, it’s such a shame when amazing plays just don’t get seen for whatever reason. So when i took my seat i was contented when just under half of the theatre was filled.
Taking out my pen i quickly sketched the impressive set. The lighting was a warm sepia colour giving the impression of an old photograph (seemingly a running theme) and three frames hung from the rigging above with a ‘mock gold’ outline. This palette was continued throughout each prop which, scattered around the downstage area consisted of a mixture of work tools and stately home throw aways. Placed up stage centre were three chairs, making me presume that all three actors would remain on stage throughout. The only splash of colour that stood out noticeably was a deep red wheelchair.
As i was unfamiliar with the material, i had asked a friend to sum up the story. She basically told me that a young Lady Chatterley eloped with another man when her husband was unable to consummate their marriage. However, upon watching this piece myself i discovered that the relationships within this plot were far more complex. Lady Chatterley (Played by the, as my esteemed friend put it “fit” Amie Burnes Walker) is a character who i can definitely identify with. Upon marrying Lord Chatterley she discovers that her beloved is, to put it in blunt terms ‘fridgid’ and does not intend to sleep with her at all. Upon her husband returning from the war paralysed from the waist down, this all becomes to much for her. Walker particularly impressed me with her conveying of ‘want’ in a time period when
lust was definetly not outwardly expressed, and her surpressed frustration was perticularly impressive in the last conversation she holds with her husband. Her bound feverish hand gestures were natural and tense, which i felt would surely warrent her to give a high contrast when she finally ‘blows up’ however, her outbursts came across as slightly subdued.
Lady Chatterley’s lover Oliver Mellors (Karl Haynes) is the game keeper of the grounds belonging to Lord Chatterley. Separated from his highly irritating wife ‘Bertha’ (Also played by Walker) Mellors had given up on romance until the lady of the house began to visit him regularly. To begin with this character is rude and his aggressive manner makes his less than agreeable. However, he (as i first wrote)
‘grows on you’ as you discover his part romances and life. Unfortunately for this production I believe that the actual age gap between the two actors was quite noticeable, and was off putting. This said, Haynes’ chemistry with Chatterley was obvious and their relationship seemed real and passionate.
Without a doubt Frazer Hammil (playing Sir Clifford Chatterly) stole the show. In my opinion the bitterness of his voice was spine chillingly realistic. His vocalisation definitely made up for the fact that his character was wheelchair bound and i couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Narrating the story, Clifford retells the story of his wife’s betrayal, willing us to sympathise. However, his behaviour toward his wife and the capitalist views he holds makes him seem repulsive.
Nick Lane, who directed the piece, definetly had his work cut out for him when directing a piece such as this. But if the performance i saw was anything to go by, this could be one of his best feats yet.
Peace out.
B <3
