Wednesday 14 August 2013

Sweet Bird of Youth - The Old Vic

I have to confess that it is quite some time since I have seen anything at The Old Vic <http://www.oldvictheatre.com> , and, having been last night I shouldn't leave it so long again.

I was encouraged into this by some friends who wanted to see Sex & the City's Kim Cattrall - and actually, so did I!

Sweet Bird of Youth is a big play, addressing lots of big themes - the most obvious one being age - but it also deals with fame, small town bigotry and the power of cash.

Marianne Elliott's production, designed by Rae Smith and lit by Bruno Poet, is wonderful.  We are drawn into the shuttered heat of St Cloud from the very start.  Tensions build and the plot unfolds.

Kim Cattrall is wonderful as the aging actress Alexandra del Largo.  She is a monster, but a monster with feelings.  Seth Numrich as Chance Wayne is expertly cast as the gigolo coming back to his home town.  His swagger and bravado having no effect any more.  And, you can certainly see why he would have caught the eye....I think the modern expression is eye candy!

There aren't many performances left.  If you have time, try and see it!