Lyonesse at Harold Pinter Theatre
Why I think this is a play for our time that both men and women should see
Many people I know hold Kristin Scott Thomas in high esteem for her cinema work. Who can forget her roles in “Four Weddings & A Funeral”, “The English Patient” and “The Hourse Whisperer” - movies that remain relevant and wonderful to re-watch as years tick on by, unlike many of the movies made nowadays. She always possessed innate sense of elegance, coupled with certain aloofness (or mystery), not inviting you to come close and get to know her, but rather suggesting you keep a distance and get on with your life, while she gets on with hers.
When news caught my eye that she will grace the stage with her acting presence in the play “Lyonesse” written by Penelope Skinner and directed by Ian Rickson, I booked the tickets straight away, knowing that I didn’t want to miss out on a chance to see Scott Thomas on stage. Lily James wasn’t a draw for me, maybe a sign of my own age and acting preferences.
The last time I was at the Harold Pinter Theatre was to see Jodie Comer in “Prima Facie”, a play so searingly powerful, my husband and I still nod in unison when it comes up in conversations, as it’s one of those play and performances you see once and remember forever. The theatre also recently staged the production of “A Little Life” with James Norton, which I missed out on seeing as I wasn’t fast off my feet in getting tickets.
The venue is quite small, making you feel very intimate with other audience members, as well as the actors on stage, a place where I am always eager to come and put a pause on life, transferred to other places for the duration of the play. What surprised me on Saturday was the amount of men in the audience, including the stage great in his own right (Sir) Mark Rylance, designer and now hotelier Christina Louboutin and businessman and philanthropist Charles Finch, clearly all their curious to see Kristen Scott Thomas on stage, a rare and treasured occasion, as the play itself is on for a very limited run, ending on December 23, which being so close to Christmas will feel even more poignant and special for the theatre goers.
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