Dance of Death is a bleak portrayal of marriage from August Strindberg's perspective, where the couple finds each other repulsive and their love turned into mutual hatred. However, Richard Eyre's adaptation injects comedy and tenderness into this dark exploration, transforming it into a tragicomedy that balances savagery with humor.
The two lead actors, Will Keen as Edgar and Lisa Dillon as Alice, deliver stunning performances that bring out the spark and mischief in their characters. The chemistry between them is undeniable, making it easy to laugh at their absurd antics while also feeling for their pain. Keen exudes pursed-lipped stoicism until his outbursts, while Dillon's childlike spite makes her seem like the real victim of this toxic relationship.
Eyre's bold decision to set the original 1900 production in 1918, amidst the Spanish flu pandemic, is inspired. It highlights the anxiety and isolation that can arise during a global health crisis, making the play even more relatable today. The set design, featuring Ashley Martin-Davis's drawing room with long-faded grandeur, becomes increasingly claustrophobic as the characters' desperation grows.
As the play progresses, it becomes clear that this is not just a marital drama but an exploration of mortality and the fear of an empty universe without afterlife. The couple's destructive behavior can be seen as a desperate attempt to fill their void with each other. This realization adds depth to the production, transforming what could have been a joyless desolation into a rare and captivating pathos.
Ultimately, Dance of Death is a must-see play that expands beyond its initial misery-fest to become something much bigger – a nuanced exploration of human relationships, mortality, and our desperate attempts to fill the void.
The two lead actors, Will Keen as Edgar and Lisa Dillon as Alice, deliver stunning performances that bring out the spark and mischief in their characters. The chemistry between them is undeniable, making it easy to laugh at their absurd antics while also feeling for their pain. Keen exudes pursed-lipped stoicism until his outbursts, while Dillon's childlike spite makes her seem like the real victim of this toxic relationship.
Eyre's bold decision to set the original 1900 production in 1918, amidst the Spanish flu pandemic, is inspired. It highlights the anxiety and isolation that can arise during a global health crisis, making the play even more relatable today. The set design, featuring Ashley Martin-Davis's drawing room with long-faded grandeur, becomes increasingly claustrophobic as the characters' desperation grows.
As the play progresses, it becomes clear that this is not just a marital drama but an exploration of mortality and the fear of an empty universe without afterlife. The couple's destructive behavior can be seen as a desperate attempt to fill their void with each other. This realization adds depth to the production, transforming what could have been a joyless desolation into a rare and captivating pathos.
Ultimately, Dance of Death is a must-see play that expands beyond its initial misery-fest to become something much bigger – a nuanced exploration of human relationships, mortality, and our desperate attempts to fill the void.
. I mean, isn't Dance of Death basically just a depressing play about two people who hate each other? 
Yeah, I get that it's trying to be darkly comedic and all that jazz, but for me, it just feels like they're poking fun at the misery instead of really exploring the deeper issues 
. And don't even get me started on how weird it is to set it in 1918 with the Spanish flu pandemic 
... does that really add anything meaningful to the story?
it was like I wanted them to break each other's hearts just so they'd stop hurting themselves 
but at the same time, their chemistry is so strong you can't help but feel for them 
and that's what makes Richard Eyre's adaptation so masterful - it balances all those dark emotions with a wicked sense of humor 
that had me laughing one minute and sobbing the next 
! Will Keen & Lisa Dillon are insane as Edgar & Alice, their chemistry is EVERYTHING 
Their performances make me laugh one sec & cry the next 
It adds this extra layer of desperation & anxiety that makes it soooo relatable today 
and I gotta say, it's like they took all the original darkness and turned it into a twisted comedy 
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. It's an exploration of mortality and finding meaning in a seemingly empty universe 
. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and even when they're being ridiculous, you still feel for them 
.
it took me by surprise how they managed to inject comedy and tenderness into a play that could have easily become super dark and depressing 
. The lead actors are amazing too! Will Keen as Edgar reminded me of my mate from school who was always playing pranks, but Lisa Dillon's Alice... ugh, she's like my aunt after a bad hair day 
. Setting it during the Spanish flu pandemic is pure genius – it adds this extra layer of desperation and anxiety that makes you feel all the feels 
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It's not just some sappy marital drama, it's like a commentary on life itself. Mortality, relationships, finding meaning... it's deep, man 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a play about two people who just hate each other but are also kinda lovable?