The curtain falls on David Eldridge's trilogy of plays about couples navigating different stages of their relationships, with End marking a poignant conclusion to this emotional journey. Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves' reuniting for these roles brings an added layer of authenticity to the play, as they bring to life the characters of Alfie and Julie from Stephen Poliakoff's 1991 film Close My Eyes.
The trilogy, which also includes Beginning and Middle, follows a natural progression from tumultuous romance to marital crisis. While each play can be appreciated individually, their connection is undeniable, making it inevitable that they will be performed together in the future. The reunion of Owen and Reeves brings an intimate understanding of these characters, as seen in the original film.
Close My Eyes was a groundbreaking film that explored themes of forbidden love and societal norms, sparking controversy with its depiction of incestuous relationships. It also offered multiple endings, depending on the viewer's perspective, which is reflected in Eldridge's play.
End, written without Owen and Reeves' specific roles in mind but utilizing their past performances to evoke intimacy, delves into Alfie's struggles with cancer and his long-term marriage to Julie. The play skillfully navigates the intersection of personal turmoil and societal upheaval, drawing parallels between the past and present.
The connection between actors' previous roles is palpable, particularly for Owen, whose character's transformation from a cocky young man to a frail and vulnerable individual evokes memories of his earlier film roles. This nostalgic value enhances the emotional impact of the play.
Eldridge's portrayal of Julie's success as a novelist serves as a poignant counterpoint to Natalie's thwarted creative ambitions in Close My Eyes, highlighting the fragility of female aspirations in the face of societal expectations.
The trilogy's exploration of love, loss, and identity echoes Poliakoff's original film, with End skillfully balancing past and present. As such, it is no surprise that Close My Eyes left a lasting impression on audiences, making its stage reunion all the more emotional and impactful.
The trilogy, which also includes Beginning and Middle, follows a natural progression from tumultuous romance to marital crisis. While each play can be appreciated individually, their connection is undeniable, making it inevitable that they will be performed together in the future. The reunion of Owen and Reeves brings an intimate understanding of these characters, as seen in the original film.
Close My Eyes was a groundbreaking film that explored themes of forbidden love and societal norms, sparking controversy with its depiction of incestuous relationships. It also offered multiple endings, depending on the viewer's perspective, which is reflected in Eldridge's play.
End, written without Owen and Reeves' specific roles in mind but utilizing their past performances to evoke intimacy, delves into Alfie's struggles with cancer and his long-term marriage to Julie. The play skillfully navigates the intersection of personal turmoil and societal upheaval, drawing parallels between the past and present.
The connection between actors' previous roles is palpable, particularly for Owen, whose character's transformation from a cocky young man to a frail and vulnerable individual evokes memories of his earlier film roles. This nostalgic value enhances the emotional impact of the play.
Eldridge's portrayal of Julie's success as a novelist serves as a poignant counterpoint to Natalie's thwarted creative ambitions in Close My Eyes, highlighting the fragility of female aspirations in the face of societal expectations.
The trilogy's exploration of love, loss, and identity echoes Poliakoff's original film, with End skillfully balancing past and present. As such, it is no surprise that Close My Eyes left a lasting impression on audiences, making its stage reunion all the more emotional and impactful.
I'm low-key obsessed with this new play trilogy about couples navigating relationships! The fact that Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves are reuniting for these roles is like, totally giving me life 
. It's like they're meant to be Alfie and Julie again 
. I love how the plays are connected but can also be enjoyed individually - it's like a mini-series of emotions 
. And omg, the way they tackle themes of identity, loss, and societal norms is so on point 
. It's like they're speaking straight to my soul 
.
[GIF: a man crying while holding a "Forbidden Love" sign] 
The play is like, totally relatable if you've ever been in a toxic relationship... or just had to watch your significant other cry themselves to sleep 
[Meme: a cat with a sad face and the caption "I can have my cake and eat it too (but only after therapy)"]
I just watched End and man, I'm still reeling from the experience... I loved how they brought Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves back together, it added this extra layer of authenticity to the play 
. And I have to say, seeing Clive's character go through all that struggle with cancer was really tough to watch 
. It made me think about my own relationship and how far we've come... and also how much work is still left to be done 
. And Natalie's character, oh man, she's so relatable... we've all been there trying to chase our dreams while society tries to hold us back 
. All in all, I'm glad they brought this trilogy back on stage, it was truly emotional and thought-provoking 
! The way Clive Owen & Saskia Reeves reprise their roles from the film makes it feel like we're witnessing an old flame reignite 
. I think what I love most about End is how it doesn't shy away from tackling tough topics like cancer & mortality, but does so in a way that feels hopeful & redemptive 
. Can't wait to see this one on stage! 