I'm back from tonight's performance and the play is a bit of a mind fvck. I feel like it didn't even fully hit me until I was walking home; my brain still processing the piece, as the surreal world Butterworth created collided with the melange of costumes roaming down 9th Ave.
It's hard to discuss the text without spoilers, so I'll comment on the physical production and the acting first. The stage is set up not fully in the round, but more like Lady Day/Spelling Bee. Jackman's Cabin juts out into the center of the theater like a runway. Lanterns and candles are lit in the cabin, but the audience is kept in such a darkness creating both an immediate intimacy with the characters and stark sense of isolation.
The characters are simply called The Man, The Woman and The Other Woman. Cush Jumbo was excellent as The Woman, finding lots of humor in the first half and shifting to the more dramatic material in the later portions quite well. Laura Donnelly is the only one who transferred from the London production and was more subdued, but gave a nice scene near the end.
I've got to give it to Jackman for taking on a part like this. It's nice to see a star take a risk and originate a role, rather than show up in a safe, well-trodden revival. He's not relying on his charisma and flashy smile. He's really pushing himself and what was a fine performance tonight could grow into something great over previews. The highlight of his performance was a monologue about the first fish he ever caught.
Hugh basically never leaves the stage and each scene alternates between him and each of the women. Slight? SPOILERS ahead...
At first I thought the two women were existing in two parallel stories, but it soon became clear that they weren't. Then I thought they were each playing different women through the years at the cabin. Then I thought they were both one woman and then I was convinced they only existed in Hugh's mind by the end.
I think there's lots of room for interpretation. The play is laden with symbolism and the dialogue has lyric often eerie quality. If you're looking for a straight-forward narrative you will walk away very frustrated.
END SPOILERS
I wish I could see it again because I think a lot more could be absorbed on a second viewing. I think I'll just have to settle for reading a copy of the play, but I'm glad I saw it and I'm sure will be thinking about it all weekend.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
