Bar area
Walk into the Young Vic on a night like this and the click-iness of young theatre patrons fills the bar area. Popular amongst thespian crowds, everyone seems to fit a certain type. Hip playwright Simon Stephen’s new play Song from Far Away has graced the Main House, a sold out show before the opening night. SFFA is directed by another popular name, Ivo Van Hove (A View from the Bridge), making this one of the most hyped productions of this season.
Ivo Van Hove
It’s a one man show tackling the bleak topic of grief. Willem played by Eelco Smits is a New York banker. His return to Amsterdam is to do with a funeral and his actions/emotions/relationships guide us through his time away from the Big Apple. 80-minute-performance without an interval, and the majority of it has the actor in the nude. Given the vulnerability expressed by Willem, this choice does not seem out of place nor does it distract away from his anguish. As each minute progresses into another, the imagery of Willem’s lifestyle melts and brings to surface his disconnection to the world. Upon his return to New York, his final appearance before the end stirs emotions towards mental stability and its prominence in contemporary culture.
The design and light by Jan Versweyveld assists the monologue style to a high standard. Stephens’ script is outstanding and with Van Howe’s direction and Smit’s performance, it substantially is a touching play.
Simon Stephens
Stephens’ playwriting history includes an impressive record, and the subject matter of this play brings back to memory, Stephens’ short monologue Seawall. With Andrew Scott at the forefront, its emotional turmoil, seem to overshadow this one. On the whole SFFA does not evoke compassion towards Willem’s pain. One however could argue that given Willem’s detachment to the world, could this be the Director’s goal? In that case this is a genius piece of theatre.
The Audience Experience 