Orpheus Descending

On Friday, Mr N had booked us tickets to see a production of Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre.

 Apparently one of Williams' lesser known plays, I had never heard of it before.  It didn't matter, I was rapt!

Above images found via Google search

Imogen Stubbs shone as Lady Torrance.  The play was something of a slow burner but it held you effortlessly, from the start.  

Aftermath - a view from my seat

It was devastatingly well observed, funny, witty, and heart wrenchingly tragic.  Everything you'd expect from Tennessee Williams really. 

It sparked much excitable babbling (and later google searching) on my part about the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, the symbolism, the recurring themes of hatred, ignorance, xenophobia, and tragic lovers (oh my!)


Above all, I asked myself how on earth could we have left doing something like this for so long.

The Royal Exchange itself is a very impressive venue.

 All marble pillars and intricate gold leafing

Kind of a theatre within a theatre

A very intimate setting

I didn't get any pictures of what I wore.  Suffice to say, I was quite overdressed for the occasion.  All lace bows and false eyelashes, I stood out like a sore thumb from the too cool for school academic types in their frayed jeans and woollen scarves.

Each to their own I say.

xxx