On publication, Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ was a such a ground-breaking novel, with its stream-of-consciousness bent, that it seems only fitting for Oxford’s much beloved Creation Theatre to celebrate its centenary, in an equally unconventional and idiosyncratic format – a self-proclaimed ‘intimate, immersive adaptation’.
Issued with headphones before the show begins, it means we can not only hear the characters as they speak to each other, but also – and this is the genius part – simultaneously eavesdrop on their private internal thoughts, as Virginia Woolf intended.
‘it was a privilege to have witnessed, and been part of, such an exhilarating interpretation of this beguiling novel’
Set in four different locations, we are introduced to Clarissa Dalloway, her friends and acquaintances, past and present, milling around in a large disused shop in Park End Street. Following her out onto the streets we observe her buying flowers in preparation for the high-society party she’s hosting later in the day.
We also encounter the wild Sally Seamton (Emma Fenney) and the passionate Peter Walsh (Dominic Brewer), both of whom Clarissa has somewhat regretfully forgone for a life of wealth and dull safety.
Directed by Helen Tennison, (READ ABOUT IT HERE), the enjoyably surreal experience continued as we scurried along the streets pursuing the real-life, yet completely fictional literary character, in full Edwardian garb, oblivious to both their audience and passers-by, while delivering captivating performances. So credit to the three Mrs. Ds (logistics required us to be broken up into three manageable groups) Tracy Bargate, Lucinda Lloyd and Julie Cheung Inhin.
‘the enjoyably surreal experience continued as we scurried along the streets pursuing the real-life, yet completely fictional literary character, in full Edwardian garb’
Praise must also be given to the good citizens of Oxford for steadfastly ignoring the spectacle of 30 headphone wearers trailing after the formally attired cast, including the PTSD-suffering WW1 veteran Septimus Smith (a riveting interpretation from Dominic Brewer).
Back inside the disused shop, we then found ourselves introduced as guests at Mrs. Dalloway’s party – your humble reviewer the Prime minister himself!
‘Praise must also be given to the good citizens of Oxford for steadfastly ignoring the spectacle of 30 headphone wearers trailing after the formally attired cast’
And as the cast took their bows, I felt very privileged to have witnessed, and been part of, such an exhilarating interpretation of this beguiling novel.
But hurry because the fun finishes tomorrow (Sunday June 22) when the last performances grace Oxford. Book here: https://creationtheatre.co.uk/show/dalloway/
Edward Bliss
