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?
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