Is saying the whole truth always the best policy? Is there any relationship that exists without any lies bubbling beneath the surface? What happens when lust gets the better of us while other people’s emotions are toyed with? As four characters come Closer on stage this month, local audiences will have the chance to indulge in one of the most hard hitting and controversial plays to have been performed on the local stage.
The well-known play will come to life in both Nicosia and Oroklini as Anglo Cypriot Theatre (ACT) goes all out to celebrate their 100th production. Now being staged in ACT’s 30th year of existence, it promises to be one that audiences won’t forget. “Our regular audiences will know of ACT’s aim for excellence in all aspects of every production we bring to the stage,” says ACT President Graham Thomas. “Ninety nine accomplished productions in Cyprus over the past 30 years is a proud achievement. The 100th production will be no exception”.
Directed here in Cyprus by John Williamson, Closer is a masterfully-constructed observation on love, seduction, betrayal and disappointment. While many associate the drama with the acclaimed hit film made in 2004 starring Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen and Julia Roberts, it had already made a name for itself on stage much before that.
Written by English playwright Patrick Marber, it premiered at the Royal National Theatre in 1997, making its debut on Broadway soon after. “I saw Closer in the West End ten years ago and I was knocked back by how funny, tragic and modern it was,” says John. “It really seemed to reflect modern day life. It has been on the back of my mind for a while and I finally found four incredible actors to make it work on stage.” The intimate cast comprises of Alexia Paraskeva, Jill McDonald, David Dimitriou and Paul Stewart.
This emotional and bitingly funny play ruthlessly takes on the language of love, lust and sex, unpicking it and using it to weave a fascinatingly intricate and sometimes shocking web around contemporary relationships. Closer has drawn comparisons with Noel Coward’s Private Lives and Harold Pinter’s Betrayal in its intricate focus on the politics of four people trading partners for lust.
Not recommended for an audience younger than 16, the language is explicit and there are plenty of references to sex. “I’d say it’s rude rather than crude,” lets on John. “And the language is great because it’s what people use in everyday life. You can identify with the characters and you’ll most likely feel like you already know them and can relate to them.”
A type of work that’s often described as one that really gets under the audience’s skin while it hits on hard realities of life, there’s no sugar coating anything in this performance. From deception and pain to love and human nature with all its downfalls, illusions are challenged and the notion of romance is brought into serious question. “It’s almost like a modern day morality play. There’s sex and deception and it plays on the notion of the grass always being greener on the other side,” explains the director. “It’s about looking at yourself in the mirror and saying: what on earth am I doing?”
One has to wonder how all this will go down with local audiences; after all, it’s quite a diversion from ACT’s usual productions. “We want the audience to have a sensational theatrical experience. I do think it may offend an older audience a little and I’m sure there’ll be a few open mouths by the end of it,” admits John. “But Cypriot audiences have become more sophisticated and open minded in their expectations and we’re hoping for a wide and varied crowd coming to see a modern play.”
With many hard hitting and very realistic scenes, there’s little doubt that many audience members will be left deep in thought. “Some people will see aspects of what has happened to them in life particularly if they’ve been betrayed. It will prick a few consciouses but not in a horrible way.” Not forgetting that the whole thing involves a good dose of humour and wit, some people may find themselves laughing at the characters but also at themselves for having done something similar. “It’s a stunning play that’s funny and sad, covering a whole range of human emotions.”
With the central theme revolving around the idea of truth, it highlights that happiness is something that has to be worked on as instant gratifications leads to a whole escalating series of problems and painful scenarios. “It shows us that deception and lies ultimately don’t pay off. Relationships need a lot of work.”
Also concerned with the element of new forms of communication changing the way humans relate to each other, part of the script deals with how modern day mediums like the internet often paint false pictures while enabling people to project lies onto each other.
One particularly characteristic scene sees the two male characters have an intensely sexual conversation online, where one is completely oblivious that he is actually sharing his sexual fantasies with another man in cyberspace. Not an easy piece of drama to stage by any means, it involves great attention to detail and the actors working at an extremely fast and real pace. As for the set itself, a minimalistic backdrop will be accentuating the starkness of the characters. As the audience is made to concentrate on each actor’s every move, romantic notions of love and sex will be questioned in more ways than one.
Closer
A play by Patrick Marber staged by the Anglo Cypriot Theatre as they present their 100th production.
March 29, 30 and 31: Oroklini Community Council Theatre, Larnaca.
April 4, 5, 6 and 7: Satiriko Theatre, Aglandjia, Nicosia.
All performances at 8pm. Not suitable for ages 16 and under, contains strong language.
€15. For ticketing and further details, contact 96-504284
http://www.facebook.com/CloserCY
