The pursuit of pleasure can be such tedium.
A never ending carousel of passionless love affairs played out against an intricate set of amoral rules.
It is also a well trod path for, it must be said, the French upper classes. Think Gigi and, more apt here, Les Liaison Dangereux.
Chichester Festival Theatre’s new production of Jean Anouilh’s bitter sweet foray into the morals of bored, rich aristocrats in the France of 1950 has more than a nod towards Pierre Les Choderlos de Lacious’s Dangerous Liasons – to give his four-part novel it’s better known English translation. Set in an enormous chateau somewhere in the French countryside the characters are required to wear period costume at all times as they rehearse for a dinner party amateur dramatic production.
Thus the machinations of bored lovers as they pirouette around the accepted rules of infidelity, take on an air of eighteenth century intrigue as the bustle of flowing silk gowns competes with the absurdity of gold frock coats.
The boredom can only be shattered by someone breaking the rules, someone from outside the circle being allowed in. The resulting frisson may add spice to the ensemble’s season, but someone would inevitably get hurt.
Jamie Glover plays The Count, Tiger to friends, whose loveless marriage to The Countess (Niamh Cusack) allows for lovers on both sides. It is Tiger who directs the play, placing his mistress, the seductive Katherine Kingsley as Hortensia, and best friend and drunkard Hero (Edward Bennett) as players in this play within a play.
Into the cast is drawn Lucile, the child minder brought into care for 12 unseen orphans housed in the West Wing. Played by Gabrielle Dempsey, the servant proves the catalyst for disaster.
The saga’s comedy turn is Villebosse, (Joseph Arkley ) the young, petulant lover to The Countess, forever launching himself through French windows – what else? – in ridiculous Harlequin costume.
By far the most striking performance however is Bennett’s, emerging from a drunken haze to enact the final tragedy in this dance macabre.
Jeremy Sams directs; the cast and costumes almost out played by designer William Dudley’s incredible chateau setting, as Pleasure Domes go more Zanadu than French anciem regime.
The Rehearsal runs until June 13.
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