Lovesong (Oberon Modern Plays)

Product Information

An example of this was how as a younger couple, they seemed to discuss everything; children, jobs, ambitions, friends, however as they grew older the silences between conversations seemed to become longer, and conversational topics seemed to run dry. One of these moments was when William went to the fridge to drink for the first time during an argument with Margaret, and his older self shut the fridge door behind him. If this sounds tricksy (add in powerful video backdrops and an intensely moving underscore), it isn’t – all is perfectly pitched and done with beautifully judged finesse. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. uk to discuss your individual requirements, and you'll hopefully see our new site and products soon!

Despite maintaining their individual personality traits, the relationship of the couple seemed to change in many ways as they grew older. The powerful poignancy of the piece is further ratcheted up by the presence of their younger selves about to begin their journey into a long but childless marriage. Though widely performed in the south of England over the last decade, we’re delighted to bring this beautiful and haunting drama to the North East. One way in which this was achieved was by the repetition of William saying ‘blue’ each time Maggie swallowed a blue pill. The set was simplistic; only featuring basic statement furnishings of the house (such as the fridge, table, bed and wardrobe).There is something a trifle over-elegiac about the evening, and the script is frustratingly hazy on detail.

A playful, heart-warmingly funny and tragic drama, LOVESONG speaks to all ages with its exploration of ageing, falling in love, and the fragility of life. Throughout the performance I thought of Maggie and William as a unit, and so when Maggie died it felt as though William was left at a loose end and appeared vulnerable without Maggie; the sorrowful atmosphere could’ve easily accounted for the death of both characters. Video projections onto the back wall of the stage featured in some scenes, and often related to the event of conversation that had just taken place. Wheelchair spaces and their adjacent seats for accompanying guests are not available to book online.Frantic Assembly is the operating name of Frantic Theatre Company Ltd, a Registered Charity, no 1113716. Her The Night is Darkest Before the Dawn was written and performed as part of The Great Game: Afghanistan cycle of plays which recently toured to the Pentagon. This subtle factor bared significance, as it showed Maggie’s hearing deteriorating as she became older.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. It had been mentioned earlier that taking too many of these blue pills would consequently end her life, and so having this repetition each time she took one built the tension leading up to her death. It's hardly surprising: Abi Morgan's love story, spanning the 40-year marriage of Maggie (Siân Phillips) and Billy (Sam Cox), is as tender as the bruised peaches that fall to the ground in the garden of the elderly couple's US home. Leanne Rowe and Edward Bennett too are perfectly cast as the young couple whose dreams did not stand that cruellest of tests, the test of time. The story, which explores the endurance of relationships and decaying of the human body is brought to life, focuses on the entwining lives of William and Margaret (later becoming Bill and Maggie) as they progress through time together, and the audience witness their past and present selves collide in memories.Whilst these furnishings were used beautifully for seamless entrances and exits of the actors (such as when Maggie walks into the wardrobe, and the younger Margaret steps out) the rest of the spacious stage was left empty; allowing room for scenes of elaborate physical theatre.

This scene created a mellow atmosphere amongst the audience and also carried a sense of dramatic irony, as the young couple discussed their plans for what their lives would be like in future. One example of this is through voice; both characters of Margaret spoke with a fast paced, pronounced British accent. Instead, they used much more subtle features to make it clear to the audience that they were the same character. The play revolves around a couple, William and Margaret/Billy and Maggie, who are depicted at two key stages in their lives.Maggie’s death was choreographed very simply, and yet managed to create an extremely sorrowful atmosphere. Using these furnishings for entrances and exits gave the impression of all their memories together being tucked away. Projecting the image reminded the audience of this conversation, and added to the sense of loss and grief that both William and the audience felt when Maggie died. Abi Morgan’s love story time-warps us through the 40 years’ marriage of Maggie (Siân Phillips) and Billy (Sam Cox).