When we have sufficiently tortured each other
When we have sufficiently tortured each other

Cate Blanchett, Stephen Dillane

Or Cate Blanchett at the National Theatre.

Tickets have been like gold dust for this. Unless you’re a member, you had to enter a lottery such is the power of Ms Blanchett in the NTs smallest theatre. It was packed with an excited buzz.

There had been a lot of noise about this in the media with reports of fainting and I’d checked with my chums at the NT as I really don’t do blood.I’ve seen much worse.

Let’s start with the actors. Blanchett is mesmerising on stage. She glows, she’s such a powerful performer. Her emotional range, her voice, her ability to keep me captivated for 2hrs no interval. Superb. Stephen Dilaine is also outstanding, both of them giving completely uninibited performances with excellent support from Jessica Gunning. What I loved is the performances felt balanced and with such a huge star that’s not always easy.

Now the play. It’s based on the novel Pamela where a 15 year old is abducted by an older man who tries to use her for sex but then they realise they’re in love and marry.

In this version a modern couple appear to be role-playing in their locked garage having invited/paid 4 others to participate in the increasingly violent and sexually explicit games. It explores gender roles, power, control, jealousy, sexual control and love. The couple constantly swop the role of Pamela and each time they swap, the ante ramps up ending up with Blanchett sporting a strap-on dildo.

It’s not an easy watch and at times I was sat wondering what the hell is going on. If it wasn’t for such magnetic performances I’m not sure I’d have lasted. And there were many comments as we were leaving about how awful it was. I think a lot of not-regular theatre-goers are expecting to see Blanchett in a classic role. This is not that. This is challenging, bold and brave.

I didn’t feel the 2hrs go past. I was intrigued that this was happening in “normal” suburban garage — linking to the ideas that you never know what happens behind closed doors and what makes a relationship. I wasn't 100% sure what I was watching and I enjoyed the challenge.

The play 2/5 — marmite

The performances — 5/5 brave and bold
['Janet Hitchen']
['London', 'Cate Blanchett', 'Stephen Dilaine', 'National Theatre', 'Theatre Review']