To put it upfront, there is nothing to be afraid off in Michael Emans’ engaging production of Edward Albee’s award-winning play except the sheer length of it… clocking in almost three hours one must wonder why the stage adaptations haven’t been shortened years ago! After all, it worked for the 1966 movie starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Still, it is thanks to leading stars Sara Stewart and Robert Kingsland and their magnificent performances that three hours at the King’s Theatre didn’t feel like torture but more like an entertaining marathon session at a shrink!

Those unfamiliar with the stage play might be familiar with the Taylor/Burton screen-version (and what a pairing!) but for those unfamiliar with neither… here’s the breakdown (no pun intended): The action take place during one night in the house of Martha (Sara Stewart) and George (Robert Kingsland), a middle-aged couple who’s marriage has long reached the end of the line but they stay together regardless - if only to indulge their deluded fantasies when not playing nasty mind games with each other. Martha, the disillusioned daughter of a college president, is a vulgar loudmouth with a penchant for drink (lots of drink to be precise) yet behind the brash exterior looms vulnerability. Hubby George works as an associate history professor at the very college his father-in-law presides over, an on-going issue for the couple as Martha cannot forgive George for the fact that he is ‘only’ an associate professor. George takes the constant humiliation in his stride and reacts with mere passive-aggressive behaviour, well, usually more passive then aggressive… something that infuriates Martha even more! She continually calls him a ‘flop’ and in the same breath asks him to fill up her glass with more gin… and more gin… The couple bicker over everything and never miss an opportunity to take stabs at each other with their vitriolic verbal outbursts, often singing “Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (in reference to the nursery rhyme “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?”). During a college party Martha got acquainted with a young married couple called Nick (Paul Albertson) and Honey (Rose Reynolds) and invites them back to her place, much to George’s chagrin.

When the couple arrive, the atmosphere is initially timid. As small talk and liquor keep flowing it quickly emerges that Martha thought of Nick as a math teacher when he is in fact a biology professor. Once the truth is out, Martha quickly uses her mistake to humiliate George even further. Soon, George and Nick embark on a battle of wits discussing chromosomes while an increasingly drunk Martha reveals to Honey how she once scathed George in front of her dad by knocking him out with a sucker-punch. George finally snaps and pretends to shoot at this wife with a rifle though only some paper flowers pop out (a hysterical scene for sure!).
As the verbal abuse continues, Honey feels the urge to vomit - courtesy of having had too much brandy. Martha unashamedly starts flirting and dancing with Nick before she makes her way direction bathroom to look after Honey. As the two men find themselves alone in the front room, an awkward conversation leads to a little home truth on both sides… such as revelations about Honey’s apparent hysterical pregnancies and a dark story from the past that keeps haunting our George. Meanwhile, Martha has told Honey about her grown-up son whom she expects home at the weekend for his 21st birthday… though it’s all news to George! As the poison keeps on spreading, the stage is set for the ultimate showdown, both verbally and psychologically…

An absolute tour-de-force to watch and of course, and even bigger tour-de-force to perform! Especially the third act, which seems to go on forever, will leave you drained just from listening to all the hysteria and psychological meltdowns unfolding on stage. The four cast members are absolute tops though this really is a complete triumph for Sara Stewart (extra points for her flawless American accent) who must be hoarse at the end of each performance… so powerful is her drunken and vitriolic voice. Splendid!

WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Runs until 3rd June (www.edtheatres.com)

LATEST REVIEWS