Toads Theatre Productions 'Miss Julie' Feb 9th - 16th

Miss Julie
By August Strindberg, translated by Helen Cooper Directed by: Dianne ffitch

Midsummer Eve, 1888. The servant’s celebrations are in full swing but the Count’s daughter, the beautiful and imperious Miss Julie, feels trapped and alone. In the servants’ kitchen, handsome and rebellious footman Jean is restless.

When Miss Julie and the footman meet, a passion is ignited that spirals out of control, crossing the strict social and sexual boundaries of the late Victorian era. When harmless flirtation descends into a ferocious power struggle and battle of the sexes, neither can escape.

Strindberg’s masterpiece caused a scandal and public protests when it was first staged – it was banned in the UK for 50 years after it was first written. It is now widely regarded as Strindberg’s masterpiece and has been hugely popular ever since for its searingly honest portrayal of the conflict between social position and sexuality in the late 19th century.

“Searching this classic naturalistic tragedy for the truth behind the characters has been a huge challenge for the cast. Through experimenting with movement and the text, and making it their own, they have truly brought the play to life.“

Director, Dianne ffitch, praised her committed cast, (Miss Julie – Hannah Samuel, Christine – Lisa Fletcher, Jean (John) Jolyon Tuck) saying that “During the rehearsal period, there have been moments when they have taken my breathe away, and made the hairs on my arms stand up – such is the connection between the characters. I hope that the audience enjoy watching as much as I have enjoyed directing this wonderful classic.”

Strindberg deliberately set the action of the play in a servant’s kitchen – a place of work with cooking range, scullery table and mis-matched furniture, so that we see the heroine descending into another world. She might throw her head back and laugh, dance, drink and flirt, but underneath she is part spoiled brat, part abused child, and part depressive. But overall – she is lonely. She yearns to break free of tradition, but does not realise that once she crosses the line, there is no return.

The fresh, raw emotion portrayed on stage during Miss Julie’s decent make it as relevant today as it was when it was first performed in 1888. With so many adaptations of the play currently on stage, including the 2012 performance in London starring Juliette Binoche, and a national tour later this year to mark the centenary of Strindberg’s death in 1912, many directors obviously agree.

February Sat 9th/Sat 16th 7.30pm Toads Theatre Company. The Little Theatre. St Marks Road. Meadfoot.Torquay TQ1 2EL www.toadslittletheatre.co.uk Box Office 01803 299330

For more information visit http://www.toadstheatre.co.uk/