I
Ivan Turgenev's story Fathers and Sons is a story about generations, the bonds between them and the differences and developments which must be negotiated. In its day the narrative was taken as a comment on Russian philosophical and political development and provoked controversy across the political spectrum. Brian Friel’s adaptation directed by Lyndsey Turner brings the human story to the fore.
The story is beautifully framed by Rob Howell’s evocative set, but the power of the production comes from the excellent performances. And here also there is a story of generations. Once you have recovered from Elaine Cassidy’s uncanny resemblance to Geraldine Chapman in Doctor Zhivago, the younger actors all give very credible performances. But the older generation steals the show.
Susan Engels’s Princess Olga rouses herself from mesmerising somnolence periodically to drop gems of haughty bad temper. Anthony Calf is the well intended slightly incompetent aristocratic father. Tim McMullen is wonderful as the unctuous, arrogant, but ultimately sympathetic Pavel. But the emotional core of the story is Karl Johnson’s Vassily, whose tender, helpless, love and admiration for his troubled son must strike a chord in every parent, and maybe every child.
Until 26 July.
Until 26 July.