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2005

The Woman Before

Written by Roland Schimmelpfennig

Royal Court production of THE WOMAN BEFORE by Roland Schimmelpfennig translated by David Tushingham Directed by Richard Wilson

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director 
Ian Rickson

Translated by 
David Tushingham

Original Language 
German

Dates Performed

Thursday 12th May 2005
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Play Details

Synopsis

A spacious hallway in an old-fashioned apartment. Frank and Claudia are packing to move out after nineteen years, their life together about to change dramatically.

On the eve of their departure, Romy Vogtländer, Frank’s former lover from 24 years ago, unexpectedly arrives. Her presence unleashes a torrent of suppressed emotions and hidden truths, threatening to unravel the fabric of Frank and Claudia’s marriage. Meanwhile, their son Andi grapples with his own romantic turmoil involving his girlfriend Tina. As the night unfolds, the characters become entangled in a web of desire, regret, and unresolved feelings.

Schimmelpfennig’s play is a masterful exploration of memory, time, and the lasting impact of past relationships. Through a non-linear narrative structure and overlapping timelines, he delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the illusion of stability in long-term relationships. As the characters grapple with the ghosts of their past and the uncertainty of their future, we’re left to ponder – Can we ever truly escape the consequences of our past actions, or are we forever bound by the choices we’ve made?

Director(s)

Richard Wilson

Photo credit

All images credited to Keith Pattison

Cast & Creative

Cast

Helen Baxendale

Cast

Nigel Lindsay

Cast

Saskia Reeves

Cast

Tom Riley

Cast

Georgia Taylor

Translator

David Tushingham

Designer

Mark Thompson

Lighting

Johanna Town

Sound

Ian Dickinson