Reviewer: Kate
Herbert
Stars:****
Brett Cousins & Luisa Hastings-Edge in Stockholm
LUST COUPLED WITH UNBRIDLED JEALOUSY breed violent rage for Todd (Brett Cousins) and Kali (Luisa
Hastings-Edge) in Bryony Lavery’s bruising play, Stockholm.
Hostages are known
to suffer the Stockholm Syndrome when they sympathise with their captors, and
Todd and Kali are caught like hostages in their own dysfunctional, dangerous
relationship.
Tanya Gerstle’s taut,
confident direction illuminates the relationship in this sensual and passionate
production that merges self-narration, direct address, dialogue and intense
physicalisation.
On Todd’s birthday,
the couple plan to celebrate with a romantic, home cooked meal, shifting from
silky sexuality into playful teasing and fantasies about their trip to
Stockholm.
When Kali’s
‘retro-jealousy’ escalates into violence, it becomes clear that they are
hostages to each other and to their cycle of love, lust and abuse.
The acting is
impeccable, credible, detailed and compelling and Edge is sultry, dangerous and
vulnerable in her manic-depressive state, leaving us fearing for Kali’s mental
health and fearing for Todd’s safety.
Cousins, as Todd, is
the still point in the relationship, remaining warm, loving but always at risk
and walking on eggshells.
Throughout the hour,
we wonder whether this punishing cycle will repeat ad nauseum for this couple,
which is a frightening thought.
By Kate Herbert
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