Theatre

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Harold Pinter Theatre London Imelda Staunton dazzles in this exceptional new production of Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. She is acerbic Martha, wife of inept history professor George, played by Conleth Hill. The action bursts to life at 2am when Martha and George drunkenly return from a party. Martha has invited a handsome young biology professor and his wife back for a nightcap – so beginning a long night of debauched excess. The very bones of Martha and George’s bitter and frustrated relationship are laid bare. Under James Macdonald’s direction, the stage fizzes with sexual energy, between both the older couple and their young companions Honey (Imogen Poots) and Nick (Luke Treadaway). This dazzling production is undoubtedly redemptive. The humour of the dialogue (potentially lost in the hands of a lesser director and cast) lifts the play to life-affirming and thoughtprovoking levels. ROSIE HOPEGOOD