Evil or just bored and amoral? Seana McKenna (La Marquise de Merteuil) and Tom McCamus (Le Vicomte de Valmont) were brilliant as the twosome competing to see who could cause the most trouble.
The two victims Sara Topham (Le Presidente de Tourvel) and Bethany Jillard (Cecile Volanges) had no chance in the face of the determined pair.
The bystanders - Martha Henry (MMe de Rosemonde), Yanna McIntosh (Mme de Volanges) and Michael Therriault (Le chevalier Danceny) are oblivious to the danger and to the results. Strong performances all around. Fabulous costumes and great use of the Festival stage.
Very much a standing ovation from me.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe to think this was only the second preview - wow.
This is a very economical play; every line advances plot or develops character. So you cannot be sloppy, and in this production nobody was.
I am not sure whether Merteuil wants Valmont's destruction more because she loves him, and is bitter to see him love someone else as he couldn't love her, or because he has betrayed the game.
I don't know why some of our group wanted a more definitive punishment for Merteuil; I think being forced to go on as if nothing has happened is a perfect punishment for her.
The costumes and set were great.
I agree the use of the Festival stage was excellent, I miss the simplicity and coziness of the old stage and I think we have lost the advantages from the discipline that required, but this was a great use of what we have.