The World's Biggest Diamond

Synopsis

After 30 years, two old lovers re-unite in a cottage by the sea. Both think the other betrayed their love. As they fight it out a large storm gathers out at sea.

Our Review:

3 November 2005

The World's Biggest Diamond is not a play for old lovers – though it might be for those who like their theatre intense and chamber-like. Few may have heard of writer Gregory Motton. Even in the Eighties when he was beginning to make his way, his subject matter – tramps, those on the edge of society, the emotionally crippled - and oblique dialogue, didn't always find favour. To this viewer's eyes at least, he was a latter-day British Gorky though more often parallels were made with Samuel Beckett.

Spurned by these shores, Motton went on to become a hit in Europe, especially France, and a notable translator of Strindberg. The latter seems especially pertinent with this latest, Motton's first play at the Royal Court for over ten years. It’s a duet in which two former lovers - one dying, the other briefly come to care for him - go over old ground picking at their mutual resentments like two prize fighters slugging it out until one of them drops. Similarities...

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Latest User Review

82.43.195.84) - 4 November 2005:

Whilst I wouldn't want to take anything away from the actors who were simply excellent, I've got to say this was an evening of boredom with a story that has nowhere to go and leaves you after an hour and a half knowing pretty much about the characters as you did in the first five minutes. I got to the point where I just didn't care and frankly if the male character hadn't been dying, I think I'd have beaten him to it!...

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