VIVIEN

EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL REVIEW

Reviewed by Jacqueline Sharp

Vivien 

Chimera Theatre Group presents, their World Premiere,

At The Space on the Mile at The Radisson Hotel

Aug 11 - 14, 18 – 21:  20.10 (50 mins) £7.50 (£6.50)

Aug 15 - 16, 22 – 23: 20.10 (50 mins) £8.50 (£7.50)

Set in the 1950’s the décor, plain and simple, three tables with chairs - a time warp!  Three male actors and one female actress, stand still in 1950’s attire.

The Opening scene begins with a narrator propped on a stool, looking perfectly groomed, suave and handsome, as the audience is entertained with music from the 1950’s.  He speaks, the audience hear the words, "true stories, how horrifying to quantify a life”, he goes on “Laurence Olivier asked for divorce to marry Joan Plowright” and “Just act darling”.

A dramatic scene breaks out on set, Vivien, (Maeve McClenaghan) and Jack Merivale, (Tom Copley), engage. She is frantic, hysterical and unable to cope with  the pressure of Laurence divorcing her. She asks “just give me a minute, they can't start without me”.

Jack tries to reassure her, “the understudy is going out now, and we’re going to take you home”. 

The opening scene is memorable, as it is recreated in the final scene to highlight the point that Vivien’s relationship was doomed from the start. 

Director, Samantha German, captures live theatre, as if the audience is watching an old fashioned 1950’s movie.  It combines pure genius, new edge live theatre that is quirky, cutting edge and ahead of its time. 

There is a lot packed into fifty minutes. A large chunk of content concentrates on the three loves of Vivien: Laurence Olivier,  (Orlando James), Peter Finch, (Ian Wych) and Jack Merivale, (Tom Copley).  They all love her, but tire of her too.  Her fleeting moments of passion, between all three men and many others, seem to be like a woman who is desperate to be loved and to love. Several scenes emerge with Jack picking up the pieces. 

Vivien’s life seemed full of highs and lows brought to life in this production, Maeve exhausts herself to play the role.  Lots of emotionally charged scene, emerge as the vulnerable Vivien struggles with bi-polar depression, , drink, pills, lack of sleep and promiscuity.  Some scenes are violent. In one, Laurence throws her across the floor in anger and frustration,. A passionate love-hate relationship emerges.

This production has to be up there with the best at this year's Fringe. The script is outstanding. The actors Maeve and Orlando must be destined to huge success in their careers.