Tony Homer reviews Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance”, playing at the Loft Theatre, Leamington.
Pour me another one, would you?
As with Edward Albee’s ‘A Delicate Balance’, now playing at The Loft Theatre, I find myself on the morning after trying to make sense of the events of the previous evening. And I’m not so much struggling as simply wondering why this play won a Pulitzer Prize. My only research going into this play was to read the director’s notes, and to have seen one other Albee play, the excellent ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf’ at The Loft last year. Which should suffice.
‘A Delicate Balance’ finds us again in the home of a well educated, well-off couple, Agnes (Lorna Middleton) and Tobias (Craig Shelton) who from the start have an easy style on stage, a confidence, a genuine marriage it seems. Both actors remain faultless throughout their performance both in accent and character. Agnes meditates on madness and ‘going adrift’ whilst Tobias pours the drinks from a well stocked bar. A crucial area in the play.
Richard Moore’s set by the way is stunning. Luxurious and well cushioned sofas, bookcases stuffed full, a centre table, a cleverly angled window to the front drive and the upstage central hallway and landing. Beautiful, I want to live there. But with this family, I’m not so sure.
For in bounds or rather slopes Agnes’s sister Claire (Leonie Frazier), teetering on red shoes, looking utterly seductive but dangerously in need of a drink. Frazier is a tour de force and, for me, the most interesting character. A drunk or an alcoholic? A woman who is criticised by her sister for watching from the sidelines, but then where better to observe the four, yes four, failed marriages of her 30 year old niece Julia (Leonie Slater) and the strained marriage (Tobias we learn has strayed) of her sibling. It’s common knowledge that drunk acting is hard to perform, and so we don’t get the cliche of slurred words or stumbling steps, what we get is over excitement and a look in the eye that says “pour me another martini”.
Julia has returned, damaged and in need of parental support. But this is derailed by the arrival of Harry (Paul Curran) and Edna (Lucinda Toomey) who are keen to take residence in the big house and escape some unknown and unseen terror. The terror of another failing marriage it would seem.
Whilst Tobias is suitably mature and grey haired and stately, his best friend Harry seems inappropriately younger, head full of brown curls and despite a limp, an odd sort of companion. Edna, though, feels spot on as a demanding friend and stern god-parent to Julia. Toomey is thoroughly honest in her words and actions and commands attention when she has the opportunity.
The play ends on the morning after. Lives are teetering in different directions, no one seems truly happy. But perhaps a whisky will sort that out, hey Claire?
– Tony Homer
“A Delicate Balance” runs until the 30th of September. Tickets available at www.lofttheatrecompany.com.
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