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Zola’s fine study of temperament
THERESE RAQUIN
National Theatre Lyttelton
EMILE Zola had by 1867 become a literary lion way beyond Paris, his reputation secured by his powerful pen.
He wrote over 20 novels but Therese Raquin stirred up the Puritan backlash. This story of sex, lust, love, frustration, murder, remorse and retribution to them was pornography. Not a hint of morality.
So much so that he reported with a biting preface to the 1868 edition: “My aim is to study temperament not character.”
It was in truth a case for the sixth or seventh commandments and a text book of dramatic realism. Nicholas Wright’s adaptation moves it along effortlessly. Zola would have approved for he botched his own attempt of it in 1873.
It all takes place in a sitting room of Madame Raquin’s house above her drapers shop in central Paris in the mid-1860s. This is where a family tale of violence and treachery unfolds.
Madame Raquin (Judy Parfitt) has taken in her niece Therese (Charlotte Emmerson) and reared her.
Therese is a North African orphan. Madame Raquin dotes on her son Camille (Patrick Kennedy) stifling him with mother love whilst Therese smoulders, growing resentful of her sisterly role and becoming more sexually hungry.
Camille’s rediscovered friend Laurent (Ben Daniels), who has a high testosterone count and an overt masculinity to match, comes around to visit frequently and from there love runs smooth no more.
And if you have forgotten, and shame on you if you have, the sixth and seventh commandments are, thou shall not kill and shall not commit adultery.
So take care if your husband’s hunky friend comes around to often. Keep the bedroom door open.
Until Feb 21
click here to book tickets or call CNJ booking line: 0870 040 0070
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