War and Peace

Our Review:

16 April 2008

This two-part adaptation of Tolstoy’s mighty work, part philosophical treatise, part history – and of course cliffhanging family saga - is the culmination of a cherished dream for writer Helen Edmundson and Shared Experience. Eleven years ago the National Theatre staged their one-evening adaptation, but its creators wanted more stage time for their story.

The fine female team of Edmundson and directors Nancy Meckler and Polly Teale are triumphantly vindicated in this thrilling retelling. The remarkable verve and fluidity of the company’s storytelling means the action never flags for a moment and the narrative is always clear and compelling as scenes dissolve into each other almost filmically on Angela Simpson’s sumptuous set – all polished marble and mirrors.

The beauty of the duality at the heart of this ‘shared experience’ is that on the journey shared by cast and audience, members of the latter really get to know and connect with members of the former bot...

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Latest User Review

David Baxter - 30 April 2008:

Shared Experience's literary adaptations are usually faithful to the source and free of theatrical indulgences. Nancy Meckler and Polly Teale maintain that style with War and Peace despite a couple of oddities: some strange brandishing of forks and Napoleon wandering around as part of Pierre's dreams. Tolstoy's mammoth novel is taken at tremendous pace and the cast of just fifteen do a superb job of defining multiple characters. Barnaby Kay blinking through his spectacles recalls Anthony Hopkins as Pierre in the BBC adaptation in the 70s (that made me feel very old) and there are noteworthy performances by Kate Wimpenny as self-sacrificing Maria and Louise Ford as a vivacious Natasha. However, an advertised running time of 21/2 hours from a ridiculously late 3.30 start was completely misleading as the actual finish was closer to 6.30. This would have played havoc with my trains for a long journey home so for the first time ever I left at the interval in the hope that Part 2 next week will include a resume of the bits I missed. PART 2: Still buzzing from yesterday's Jersey Boys suddenly life's too short for another 3 hours and a late return home, my loss probably but c'set la vie....

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