REVIEW: THE DIVER, Soho Theatre
Three star rating FROM the outset this complex and multi-layered tale challenges viewers understanding and a degree of confusion remains throughout the saga of love, murder, betrayal and revenge. The tale begins as an unna
REVIEW: THE DIVER, Soho Theatre
Three star rating
FROM the outset this complex and multi-layered tale challenges viewers' understanding and a degree of confusion remains throughout the saga of love, murder, betrayal and revenge.
The tale begins as an unnamed woman (Kathryn Hunter) is led into the office of a police psychiatrist, played by Hideki Noda who also directs, ahead of being charged with the murder by arson of her lover's two children.
However, within the psychiatrist's office the multi-faceted plot has already begun to unfold.
Allied to the fast moving narrative, which is in part played in the Noh tradition - a major form of classic Japanese musical drama - the poetic, but often unexplained actions fail to ensure viewers gain full appreciation of an otherwise inventive plot.
Most Read
- 1 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee flypast: Where, and when, the planes will fly over north and east London
- 2 Floating park between Camden Town and King's Cross
- 3 CCTV footage released as family pay tribute to 'loving son' Olsi
- 4 Man arrested following stabbing on Royal College Street
- 5 Highgate woman pledges £1million for children's autism charity
- 6 Hampstead nursery slams church over impending eviction
- 7 Former Camden Council leader chooses women's safety charity for second mayoral year
- 8 Five bedrooms, utterly charming and in Muswell Hill
- 9 Grease: 'High energy fun but I'm not hopelessly devoted'
- 10 The Burnt City: stunning but elusive take on Trojan War
The needlessly complex depiction is frustratingly unable to fully benefit from an astonishingly versatile set.
The imaginative use of Japanese fans, which one moment portray flowers, before reappearing as mobile phones, letters, arrows and even pizza slices helps move the story along.
And the ingenious use of bolts of multi-coloured silk, which seamlessly scamper from portraying a woman's robe, young child and diver's wound, work equally well.
Nevertheless, ultimately I was left with a sense of disappointment for a clever plot and outstanding set that were unnecessarily burdened by an excessively complex portrayal.
Until July 19.
Simon Jackson