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Women beware women

OLIVIER THEATRE: In the event that Prince William's squeeze Kate, joins the British Royal Family her story will begin to resemble that of Bianca in Thomas Middleton’s 'Women Beware Women', currently in the Olivier at the National Theatre.
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Kate beats her 17th century forebear Thomas hands down in a ‘most famous Middleton’ contest. Prince William’s squeeze may ruefully reflect on the soap opera style scrutiny to which her romance is subjected, especially now that an engagement is allegedly imminent. In the event that Kate does join the British Royal Family her story will begin to resemble that of Bianca in Thomas Middleton’s Women Beware Women, currently in the Olivier at the National Theatre.

Bianca is propelled from obscurity into the midst of court intrigue and infighting when she becomes an unwitting pawn in the power games of an incestuous, aristocratic Florentine family. Bianca’s innocence is exploited by the lascivious Duke: her character rapidly progresses from ingénue to practised politician with consequences fatal for all and a Hamlet level body count in the final scene.

Marianne Elliott makes Middleton’s revenge tragedy a modern Machiavellian feast for the senses: sumptuous costumes, choreography and original music by Olly Fox combine on Lez Brotherston’s revolving set to produce a pacey three hours of Jacobean drama with a distinctly 21st century flavour.

Performances are generally strong and, unsurprisingly given the play’s title, the three female leads stand out. Relative newcomers Vanessa Kirby and Lauren O’Neil, as Isabella and Bianca respectively, both offer clear and compelling portrayals of the plight of young women in Middleton’s corrupt and chauvinistic world but the production belongs to Harriet Walter’s Lady Livia. With exquisite poise and her wonderful voice Walter achieves the seemingly impossible task of rendering sympathetic a vain, ageing schemestress who connives at both the downfall of Bianca and her brother’s seduction of their niece (Isabella) in an old woman’s war on youth.

“Wordy and a bit long” was the verdict of a pleasant looking woman in the audience after the curtain call. This is perhaps a bit unfair but Middleton is certainly no Shakespeare and Kate will be hoping for a happier fate than her namesake provides for his heroines.

Women Beware Women

By Thomas Middleton

Venue: Olivier Theatre

Until July 4

Running Time: 3 hours including interval

Entry Pass: Free tickets for 15-25 yr olds

Cast credits:

• cast includes

• Leantio
Samuel Barnett

• Sordido
Nick Blood

• Ensemble
Kelsey Brookfield

• Hippolito
Raymond Coulthard

• Ensemble
Laura Cubitt

• Ensemble
James le Feuvre

• Fabritio
James Hayes

• Messenger
Samuel James

• Ensemble
Sioned Jones

• Ensemble
Bryan Kennedy

• Isabella
Vanessa Kirby

• Duke of Florence
Richard Lintern

• Ensemble
Adam Maskell

• Ward
Harry Melling

• Lord Cardinal
Chu Omambala

• Bianca
Lauren O’Neil

• Ensemble
Mark Rawlings

• Ensemble
Sebastien Torkia

• Mother
Tilly Tremayne

• Livia
Harriet Walter

• Guardiano
Andrew Woodall

Production credits:

• Director
Marianne Elliott

• Designer
Lez Brotherston

• Lighting Designer
Neil Austin

• Music
Olly Fox

• Choreographer
Arthur Pita

• Fight Director
Kate Waters

• Sound Designer
Ian Dickinson

David Trennery
About the Author
David Trennery is a free-lance writer.