Lucie Loves… Theatreland // One to watch: Fatal Attraction at the Royal Haymarket Theatre
A couple of weeks ago I was offered tickets to see Fatal Attraction at the Royal Haymarket Theatre, London. Since moving to London around 18-months ago, theatre-going hasn’t been something that I’ve dedicated much time too - don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely something that I’m keen to do more of.
I love the thrill of heading out of the office, on-time, and saying: “I’ve got tickets to the theatre.” It feels so very London. However, I must confess, I haven’t actually seen that many theatre productions. In fact, I can count them on one hand:
Sex, chips & rock ‘n’ roll - back in 2005 - at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Dolly - about a cloned sheep named after Dolly Parton - at The Curve, Leicester
Blood Brothers - my first date with jmgcreativ - at Phoenix Theatre, London
Metamorphosis - on my own, a spur of the moment visit - at The Lyric, Hammersmith
Fatal Attraction - with my friend Melly - at the Royal Haymarket Theatre, London
Many of you will have watched Fatal Attraction, probably on TV or on video, when it was first released in 1987. (I was 2 years old at the time, so missed out). But I must have seen it, or at least heard about it, for I’ve definitely recognise the term 'Bunny Boiler’, one which is synonymous with the film, and still used by people today. Even the Urban Dictionary of 'Bunny Boiler' definition cites Fatal Attraction star Glenn Close, as the root of its origins. You’ve gotta see it to believe it!
Who’s in it?
The Royal Haymarket Theatre, known originally as ’The Little Theatre in the Hay’, is a rather intimate venue, especially, when compared to somewhere like the Royal Albert Hall. “In a rough London lane rife with villains, pickpockets and crooks, where racketing carts spewed their hay and where tumblers, stilt-walkers and merchants vied for the attention of the crowds, the Haymarket Theatre was born." It’s opulence echoes centuries gone by, and when you’re sitting in your seat, gazing in awe at the rich red and gold classical surroundings, it’s easy to forget that it’s actually 2014 outside.
I was curious to see how Fatal Attraction, my fifth ever theatre experience, my first thriller, would - excuse the pun - play out, in its new stage-based setting. When I saw the names of the actresses on the bill my expectations were raised even higher. I’m a big fan of, Californication star, Natascha McElhone and also, Sex and the City star, Kristin Davis, so was anxious to see whether they would live up to their on screen performances. Would I be disappointed?
So, did I like it?
In a nutshell: Fatal Attraction makes you think - a lot.
It’s the whole, ’what would you do if…’ that makes you try and put yourself in the other characters shoes. You feel so many things sitting in the audience: their lust, confusion, betrayal, hurt, desperation, resentment and grief. It’s pretty heavy stuff, but well worth experiencing.
McElhone and Davis deliver strong, heartfelt performances. There were also some funny laugh-out-loud moments too with Mark Bazeley, that added an element of dark humour to this otherwise twisted tale. The set design is amazing too - such clever people those set designers!
Want to go see it?
Fatal Attraction is showing at the Royal Haymarket Theatre until 21 June 2014.
Ticket prices start at £12 and can be purchased here: http://www.trh.co.uk/whatson/fatal-attraction/
Theatre Royal Haymarket
18 Suffolk Street
London SW1Y 4HT
Big thank you to milktwosugars for the free theatre tickets.
Photography © Lucie Kerley