Theatre with Teeth’s production ‘Woolf’ is an graceful and charming play about the life of author Virginia Woolf.
Told after her death through conversation with her husband Leonard, snippets of childhood memories are played out. The company act as props as well as characters; one moment they are a bookcase, in another they are creating ocean waves with books.
The flowing movements and rhythms created by the company seem to bring to life the literature of Woolf without the need to recite her novels or letters. One scene a young Virginia Woolf is carried across stage on a ladder chasing a book. This is a perfect example of the sweet charm this production carries throughout.
Little dialogue is interwoven with music by Laura Marling, the scenes jump quickly and so does the snippets of music. At times the unnecessary addition of music took away from the simplicity seen on stage and drowned out any dialogue.
However, the moment in which they create their own rhythm adds to the scene and shows the skill of their production.
I found the actress who played Virginia Woolf particularly mesmerising. Her slight facial movements portrays all emotion necessary to carry the scene. She is at once wise and mature but with a softness as she reflects nostalgically.
Despite the brevity of the play and some unpolished elements ‘Woolf’ is has an excellent concept with a cast who perform with effortless elegance.
With plans to develop the play further and more performances to come including a slot at the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, there is so much potential to be drawn out and it is definitely worth seeing whether or not you are a Woolf fan.
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Reviewer: Victoria Roe | Rating: 2 ½ Stars | Production: Theatre with Teeth