Review: National Theatre Live: Phedre
On Thursday 26th June, local residents went to see the National Theatre's London performance of "Phèdre" starring Helen Mirren in the title role... at the Blake Theatre, Monmouth!
It's the first of a series of 'one night only' performances of National Theatre productions that are
beamed simultaneously to cinema screens around the world in High Definition. There was a real buzz of anticipation as the audience wondered how it would work and whether the experience would be as good as being there.
It worked brilliantly and had the audience hooked from the opening scene. The pre-show explained that the performance was exactly the one that had taken place each night in the run and
the cast would continue to play to the live audience in the National Theatre whose rapturous applause we heard and joined with at the end of the performance. Technically it was almost flawless with close-ups enhancing the claustrophobic unravelling of the tragedy. A slight synchronisation issue became apparent part way through but could not detract from the piece
Helen Mirren's performance was a tour de force as she portrayed Phedre's distress and passion with heart-rending vigour. Dominic Copper's Hippolytus was outstanding; his revulsion at his
step-mother's advance's clear but his reluctance to tell his father believable. Ted Hughes' translation of Racine's tragedy is beautiful and its delivery left the audience exhilarated by its intensity.
The Blake Theatre will be hosting the rest of the National Theatre's season, with the next performance the four star production of All's Well That Ends Well on October 1st. The theatre will also be showing Metropolitan Opera productions starting with Aida on 24th October. This new technology brings exciting and top quality productions right to our
doorstep and for a fraction of the price - just £10.
The Blake
Theatre
Tel: 01600 719401
www.theblaketheatre.org
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