The French Lieutenant's Woman

the crew and cast manage to depict the haunting atmosphere and eloquently capture the sentiment in celebration of the mastery of the original

Article by Simone Gray | 13 Oct 2006
An adored classic doesn't always translate to stage success. However, the stage adaptation by Mark Healy of John Fowles's beautifully crafted romantic novel transforms the text into captivating viewing with ease. Under the direction of Kate Saxon and with the help of the distinguished cast their depiction bears close to the original masterpiece and equally enchants.

The double love story explores the Victorian attitudes to forbidden love, temptation and the fight for personal freedom, despite the heavy burden this freedom seemed in those severe times.

The tale is introduced by a bewildered writer who gives account, often with crafty humour, of characters rattling inside his head. They take hold of the story, develop and embark on a journey shaded with passion, treachery and cruelty through those pious and reserved days where passion was often equated to crime or insanity.

The difficulty lies in tapping into the images already constructed in the reader's mind. While the lengthy narrative could have been pruned, the crew and cast manage to depict the haunting atmosphere and eloquently capture the sentiment in celebration of the mastery of the original. [Simone Gray]
Theatre Royal, Glasgow.