A beloved classic, a chilling tale, but does this adaptation do it justice?
The iconic story 'Don't Look Now' by Daphne du Maurier, published in 1971, begins with a heart-wrenching scene of a couple, John and Laura, grieving the loss of their youngest child, Christine, during a vacation in Venice. Nicolas Roeg's iconic film adaptation, released a couple of years later, added a powerful prologue, vividly depicting Christine's drowning. This new stage production, directed by Douglas Rintoul, pays tribute to the film's opening while maintaining the original cause of death from the story, meningitis.
The play begins with a clever use of lighting and set design. Christine appears on a reflective stage, her blue dress eerily foreshadowing her tragic fate. The audience then witnesses the devastating aftermath as John holds his lifeless child. This adaptation, written by Nell Leyshon, allows Laura's grief to take center stage, a departure from du Maurier's original male perspective.
Leyshon's version delves into the couple's emotional turmoil as they revisit their honeymoon suite, highlighting the strain on their relationship. She skillfully weaves guilt into their grief and portrays John's insensitivity, mirroring the callousness of their doctor. But here's where it gets controversial—the play struggles to capture the eerie atmosphere of the original story.
The stage adaptation falls short in building suspense and conveying the sense of foreboding that permeates du Maurier's narrative. Scenes that should be chilling, like the encounter with the psychic sisters and the news of an emergency, lack the creeping dread that makes the story so memorable. And this is the part most people miss—the supernatural elements, which should be unsettling, fail to leave a lasting impression.
The set design, while initially impressive, loses its impact towards the end, becoming a mere backdrop for the actors' movements. The script, much like the score, excels at evoking sadness but falls short of creating genuine suspense. Despite moving moments between John and Laura, the performances sometimes feel forced, preventing the audience from fully connecting with the characters. The play's climax, unfortunately, fails to deliver the intended suspense.
So, does this adaptation live up to the chilling reputation of du Maurier's masterpiece? The answer is a matter of interpretation. While it offers a unique perspective on the characters' grief, it may leave fans of the original story longing for the spine-tingling atmosphere that made 'Don't Look Now' an enduring classic.
