With such a wealth and strong history of British
playwrights, it’s rare for European plays to be performed in this country. As with her previous production of Fräulein Else, director Anna Ostergren and Serendipity Productions bring something a
little different to the London fringe theatre scene with this new translation
of Playing With Fire by the prolific
Swedish playwright August Strindberg. This
erotically charged one act play presents a stark look at human passions,
revealing the thin line between love and hate.
Strindberg is known as a theatrical experimenter, but
Ostegren chooses to keep things simple in this production. The set is basic, the props are minimal and the
lighting is often a little too dim.
Alongside the contemporary costumes, the set allows the audience to
create their own sense of space, highlighting the relevance of this personal human
drama to a modern audience. The
production, however, feels a little indistinct.
This does put the acting and plot into sharp relief. At the centre of the plot is the love
triangle between Knut (Andrew Paxton), his wife Kerstin (Tallulah Sheffield)
and best friend Axel (James Heatlie). Drama
builds from the passionate relationship between Axel and Kerstin, who argue and
declare their love in equal measure.
Their relationship yo-yo’s a little too suddenly in this swiftly moving
script, whilst Knut’s willingness to give up on his marriage undermines the warmth
the couple exude in the early scenes.
Despite some unlikely twists (which perhaps attest to the
unpredictability of human nature), the acting remains naturalistic and credible
throughout. With characterisation at the
heart of Playing With Fire, the
success of the play depends on well-realised performances - Heatlie and
Sheffield, in particular, displayed a palpable intensity, with Paxton an
imposing presence even when off-stage. By
comparison, the remaining three characters were thinly drawn.
At just under an hour long, Playing With Fire is a bite-sized dissection of marital
relationships. Whilst the production
would benefit from a more vivid setting, the drama and characterisation are
meaty enough to have you pondering well after the curtain call.
3/5
Watch: Playing With Fire is performed until June 22nd at the Drayton Arms Theatre.
