Hanna Waterman and Hugh Higginson in "Love Letters" |
Director:
Denny Lawrence
Designer:
Jacob Battista
Lighting
Design: Jason Bovaird
Producer:
Christine Harris & HIT Productions
The Q,
Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre - May 21 – 24th
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Ever since
it was first performed by the author himself in 1988, A.R. Gurney’s celebrated
play “Love Letters” has been a favourite among name actors. Exploring a
relationship between two lifelong friends through their letters to each other, it
requires little rehearsal and the lines don’t have to be memorised.
However this
production which had its premiere performances at the Q in Queanbeyan before
embarking on an extensive Australasian tour, and which stars Huw Higginson
(P.C.George Garfield in “The Bill”) and Hannah Waterman (Laura Beale in “Eastenders”)
shows all the signs of a meticulous rehearsal period by director Denny Lawrence
and his cast.
Melissa
Gardner (played by Hannah Waterman as feisty, rebellious and determined to lead
her own life) and Andy Ladd ([played by Huw Higginson as compliant, thoughtful and
co-operative) is childhood friends. Both born into wealthy New York families,
they begin writing to each other with tentative holiday postcards, birthday
invitations and ‘Thank you’ letters.
As they move
on to boarding school, college and beyond, they stay in touch through a series
of letters that explore their blossoming hopes for romance as well as their
change in fortunes. Andy becomes a celebrated lawyer with political ambitions.
Mellissa leaves a trail of controversy and school expulsions, eventually
becoming an artist.Through 50 years of laughter, pain, re-unions and estrangements, the bond between the two remains unbreakable. As his life reaches for the glory of the U.S. Senate, hers descends into trouble and rejection.
The staging
is simplicity itself. Both actors stand at elegant, transparent lecterns,
separated by an arched window. Images of butterflies, leaves and rain are
projected on to the window, together with subtle lighting changes to denote the
passage of time.
The actors
avoid eye contact with each other, and their faces light up only when speaking
their own lines. In lesser actors, this static staging could become boring, but
despite their television fame, both Waterman and Higginson are consummate stage
actors boasting substantial stage credits between them. Their performances are lessons in superb stagecraft, skilful pacing and restraint. They allow their characters
come to life through A.R.Gurney’s exquisitely discerning words. In the process they are fascinating, often frequently funny and ultimately very moving.
Should this
production come your way, do make an effort to catch it. You’ll be glad you
did.
Photos by Belinda StroddenThis review appears in Australian Arts Review . www.artsreview.com.au