Camden New Journal - Theatre; The Trial of Marie Antionette

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

The Review - THEATRE by EMILY ORGAN
Published: 20 August 2009

Julie Tallis as Marie

This cast take the cake

THE TRIAL OF MARIE ANTOINETTE
Courtyard Theatre

MOST people’s knowledge of Marie Antoinette is confined to “Let them eat cake”. Writer and director Peter Langdon seeks to rectify this as he explores her imprisonment and trial.
He does not attempt to parallel the action with modern issues, instead playing to the strengths of the story and challenging the audience to both sympathise with a woman used as a scapegoat while condemning her for such extravagances as using breadcrumbs in the making of wigs while her people starved.
Julie Tallis as Marie Antoinette shines as the slightly naïve and vulnerable woman imprisoned for reasons beyond her understanding but fails to balance this effectively with any sense of pride or haughtiness.
This correlates with the direction, which leans too heavily towards sympathy.
An interesting angle is the portrayal of how the revolution changed, epitomised through the personal struggle of Claude Chaveau Lagarde, played by the excellent Rhys Lawton.
The chemistry between Antoinette and her lawyers, Lagarde and Hebert (Stuart Sessions) ensures that these scenes are the most captivating. The trial suffers from a lack of cast, with the creation of atmosphere left to only four “crowd” members who are reminiscent of students being told to create “background chatter”, rendering it unable to capture the true gravitas of such an occasion.
Langdon has fallen into the trap of loving his topic too much; it is far too long and the unnecessary scenes outside of the trial or her cell jar badly.
This is a shame as he has an excellent cast, creates some memorable moments and makes historical fact interesting. It is unfortunate to go to the theatre wanting cake, only to be served bread.
Until August 30
0870 163 0717

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

» A-Z of Theatre
» Local Reviews
» Local Listings
» West End Reviews
» West End Listings
» Theatre Tickets
» Theatre & Hotel Packages