Redkate's Review- December 13, 2002

I’ve just returned from my first viewing of The Talking Cure tonight, 13 December. Note there are spoilers all the way through this! Oh and it’s a bit on the long side.

There was no sign of Bill Patterson – Freud was read again by Dominic Rowan (who plays another small part in the play). Although he does a good job it undoubtedly throws the play out of balance, as a key theme is Jung and Freud’s pseudo father/son relationship. As Rowan is younger than Ralph (but Freud was 20 years older than Jung) this is quite a handicap. My next visit is next Thursday so I hope someone older (who knows the lines!) will be in place by then.

Overall it’s a very interesting play but I’m not 100% convinced that Ralph has got the part nailed. Maybe this is partially due to the lack of a proper Freud, or maybe due to the necessary ‘bedding in’ period. Also the structure of the play is against him, as it initially concentrates on Sabina Spielrein (played by Jodhi May) in the first act. She is great, but then her part is showy as she gets to be hysterical (I use the term advisedly), whereas poor old Ralph has to sit at the back nodding and sucking his pen. It doesn’t really pick up for his character until he and Sabina get together – I thought the scene where they go to bed together (sadly pretty much fully clothed, although major snogging) was electric, also the scenes between them at the end when she rejects him, and she makes a final visit to see him when she’s pregnant. For me these were the best moments, although I suspect that the scenes with Freud might have been equally strong if Ralph had had the original actor to play against.

I thought Ralph was superb in Richard II and for me, I must confess, this is not as good – there he dominated the stage in an enormous space, here he does not dominate (although admittedly I couldn’t take my eyes off him…). Yet maybe that’s testimony to his acting ability, as he is not meant to be the centre of attention all of the time. Or maybe, if I’m going to be shallow, it’s because of that horrible moustache – yes, I’m afraid to say, it is rather unpleasant even if historically accurate. But it seemed very bizarre, really, to be in such a relatively small space and be so close to him – and if anybody’s got seats in the front row, you’ll almost be able to touch him…..

Other points of interest: Kevin Spacey was in the audience! I actually noticed him in the lobby before the play started, although he was wearing a woolly hat pulled down low and glasses. He was sitting two rows in front of me (he took off the hat and glasses during the play so they obviously were his disguise). In the interval I asked one of the staff if he could confirm it was Kevin Spacey and he said yes, he’s been a few times (not sure if he meant this play or the National generally). I also noticed that James Hazeldine, the guy who is ill who was meant to be playing Freud was in the production of The Iceman Cometh on Broadway with Spacey, so there obviously is a connection. Now wouldn’t it be interesting if Spacey played Freud in this!! But really he’s too young as well, as he’s about Ralph’s age. Still you never know.

David Cronenberg was also there, I think. There was an interview with him in today’s Guardian (will transcribe the Ralph bits when I get a chance) so he obviously is here in the UK – maybe for a preview of Spider? However I’m going by my recollection of the picture of Cronenberg in the paper as he’s not exactly as recognisable as Spacey. Christopher Hampton, the playwright, was also there and made the announcement at the beginning about the part of Freud being read.

A final note on smoking re the Daily Telegraph interview and the Marlboro comments: Ralph smokes a pipe a couple of times during this performance, which would be quite hard for a non-smoker to do (I speak as an ex-smoker). Also I’ve just seen a review of The Vortex on BBC2 and one of the reviewers said it was ‘a play about smoking’. By this he was implying that everyone on stage was smoking. Maybe if someone’s been to see it they can confirm if Francesca smokes in it? If she does, I would say that’s further proof to suggest that Ralph does, as in my experience often both people in a couple smoke, usually not just one of them. Although it is a disgusting habit (which is why I gave up) I don’t care if Ralph does smoke – it shows he’s human.

Sadly I did not stay to get Ralph’s signature as I went with a male friend who is not a fan – I’d be interested to hear from anyone who did though (there were a few people hanging about).