REVIEW: Treats
- Posted on March 5, 2007 6:25 PM
- 2 comments
By Katie Spain
"With Equus baring all just ten minutes down the road, Billie Piper better get her baps out if she wants to impress me..."
This remark was made by a male non-theatre goer. Surprised? I thought not. Despite his views, full frontal nudity isn't the key to a successful night on the West End. Thank goodness for that. For the record, neither is the casting of an A-List actor... especially when a play's subject matter is domestic abuse. Oh, and, in case you were wondering... Billie does take her top off but keeps you guessing about the rest. Just like the rest of the play really.
In his new play Treats, Christopher Hampton doesn't spout advice, he doesn't preach, praise or pity. In fact, he presents extraordinary events amongst ordinary people... in an equally ordinary setting. That is, after all what most relationships are like. Or are they? This is one of the things you'll ponder after the curtain call. Is your relationship the norm? How would people react if they were a fly on your bedroom wall of domestic 'bliss'?
The cast however, are no wall flowers. Billie Piper stars as Anne, a young professional with an arrogant ex boyfriend called Dave. Kris Marshall plays the role of the man who used to share her heart and her flat. You'll recognise him as the dopey middle-aged pushover in the BT ads. It's refreshing to see his nasty side.
In a bid to escape his controlling grip, Anne leaves Dave for her boring, yet completely docile colleague Patrick (the delightfully amusing Laurence Fox). Patrick may have the conversational capabilities of a stunned mullet but the return of the loud mouthed and demanding Dave, sparks a response from both him and Anne. This is when things get interesting.
Billie Piper ticks all the superstar boxes whilst managing to downplay the drama we saw in Doctor Who. After leaving the television Daleks far behind, her on-screen presence transfers to the stage well. As for the messages about self confidence issues, controlling relationships and the reason men and women head back for more hurt... I'm still struggling to work out what exactly, they were. One thing is for sure; her latest performance at the Garrick Theatre made me think long into the night. If it does the same for others, it must be a good thing.
The set reminded me a great deal of the single sofa and IKEA inspired living rooms seen in 'The Third Day' and 'Love Song'. The play was written in '73 but Hampton added "or now" to the package so I guess all modern day flats look the same. The glaringly painted box that encases the set looks more like a reversed Swedish flag (or so the Swede next to me informed me). Good things come in subtly wrapped packages folks.
The real draw card for my companions and I however, was the on stage chemistry (or lack of) between the cast members. It is no secret that Billie Piper and Laurence Fox share an on and off stage relationship. It’s an ironic twist perhaps in the package that is ‘Treats’. Watching a real couple portray a fictitious couple failing is almost like watching a spider with its freshly trapped fly. If tabloids are to be believed (which they're not), the real-life couple have had trouble of late. Either they were both engrossed in their characters' emotions... or we imagined the joint iciness during the curtain call.
Something tells me each show will be a tad different - depending on the frequency of backstage domestics. Such is the life of modern-day love birds hey? After retiring to the pub next door we discussed the topic of abusive relationships well into the night. Billie and co, your job is done.
What did you think of Treats? Tell all in our comments section.
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Comments (2)
Adam Walker
i couldn't agree more with this review.
i went to see the play last night and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to watch something that provokes thought. and not necessarily in a good way.
sitting watching this with your partner is a bit like watching the film, 'Closer'...it makes for uncomfortable viewing. but essential viewing and one that all couples should watch.
so go along and take it all in, then go to the pub and discuss. any play that makes for discussion after curtain call and well into the night is a play money well spent.
oh, and Billie Piper's not half bad either.
Posted on March 6, 2007 4:10 PM
vera
i thought billy Pipers acting was atrousious find some new facial expressions, you drove me to sleep
Posted on June 6, 2007 3:35 PM
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