Shared Experience is well known for taking classic texts
and making them into highly physical and innovative theatre. Flaubert's
"Madame Bovary" scandalised French bourgeois society of the
time with its shocking depiction of an adulteress, Emma Bovary, and her
lascivious liaisons. The 19th-century press denounced both the book and
its author as corrupting influences. History has exonerated Flaubert and
exposed the hypocrisy of a society that would deny the existence of such
women.
Why should we be interested in this piece of theatre? Husbands and wives
are often depicted in theatre as having extra-marital affairs; it's one
of the great themes of literature. Charles (a wonderfully controlled performance
from Adrian Schiller) describes his wife as having "a little passion".
An argument over breakfast about milk becomes a remarkable deconstruction
of their marriage. Emma (the glorious Amanda Drew) has not only ruined
her own reputation but destroyed that of her husband in her ruthless bid
for wealth and recognition. On the surface, Flaubert provides a melodramatic
morality tale. Slyly, underneath it all, he is laughing. Through his voyeuristic
tale, with each salacious detail recounted, he is wilfully subversive
as he points the finger not only at the guilty but also at those who would
dare to judge.
Shared Experience gracefully balances artistic daring alongside faithfulness
to the text. The play contains one of the hottest sex scenes I've seen
where no clothes are removed and the female is narrating every detail
in a detached fashion. This production matches simplicity with incredible
theatrical daring to create an interesting and engaging piece of theatre.
Ben Whitehouse, 26.09.03
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