Miss Julie
It’s apt that a theatre company named Elevate has taken August Strindberg’s bitter classic of social falling and climbing as its maiden show - even if it is a high risk strategy.
Amy Jayne Davis (as Julie) Daniel McLoughlin (as Jean) in Miss Julie at Greenwich Playhouse Photo: Robert Gooch
Countless versions of Miss Julie are merely depressing.
But, with a new, expertly-judged adaptation by Frank McGuinness and highly-charged acting under Oliver Baird’s taut direction, this production is as exhilarating and disorientating as the play’s long midsummer night that seems to condense generations of experience.
Laura Cordery’s set is pared back to a minimum of three plain chairs against a pale Scandinavian backdrop. The only colour is Miss Julie’s turquoise blouse and regal purple skirt.
Kristin (Lucinda Westcar) is prim and neat in shades of drab and Jean (Daniel McLoughlin) is dignified in black and white.
Initially, he has the moral high ground as the servant boy who could only gaze at his haughty mistress from afar.
But the sympathy flow twists and turns as love veers to hate and back again.
Miss Julie (Amy Jayne Davis) abuses her power as a social superior, but, as a woman, she is powerless and Jean becomes the cynical social climber who can only elevate himself at her expense.
Production information
- By:
- August Strindberg, adapted by Frank McGuinness
- Management:
- Elevate Theatre Company
- Cast:
- Amy Jayne Davis, Daniel McLoughlin, Lucinda Westcar
- Director:
- Oliver Baird
Production information can change over the run of the show.
Run sheet
- Greenwich Playhouse London
- August 26-September 19 2010
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