Poison, Orange Tree

[pledge]

A very rare opportunity to see some contemporary Dutch writing (go on, how many can you name?). Don't be put off by the title, this is a quiet, very intense two-hander (90 mins straight through, as is now the industry standard?), and I'm giving nothing away when I say it's about bereavement, and thus is a tad low on gags and laffs. Nevertheless it's not depressing, but rather honest, taut and (to use an overworked adjective) deeply compassionate. (Anyone remember David Rudkin's "Ashes"; this is in a similar mold and class.) Two superb performances - in what might otherwise superficially pass for a radio play - meant that I couldn't tear my eyes away as the two characters struggle, plead, reflect, accuse and regret. No tricks or gimmicks, just honest truthful writing. Highly recommended.

[dani]

Nov 7, 2017 11:21:09 GMT pledge said:

A very rare opportunity to see some contemporary Dutch writing (go on, how many can you name?). 

None, but isn't that because Dutch theatre doesn't set great store by new writing, being a theatre landscape dominated by companies like Toneelgroep Amsterdam (which I have probably spelled wrong)? 

[dani]

Inspired to look into the question some more, I found this article interesting and relevant: www.dutchperformingarts.nl/background/the_netherlands_home_to_a_broad_and_varied_theatre_landscape/

In the section on playwrights it says "Text often plays a subordinate role in Dutch theatre." I was also interested to read that "Vekemans was much more successful in Germany than in the Netherlands with her pieces Gif (Poison) and Zus van (Sister of)."

I haven't seen Poison but might go and do so.