A View From The Bridge at the Ensemble




A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
ENSEMBLE THEATRE    JULY 2019

Simply, sparsely staged this is a gripping ,intense and very powerful production of Arthur Miller’s 1955 play , with a magnificent cast  strongly directed by Iain Sinclair .It was originally seen at the Old Fitz theatre in 2017 .
There is almost no set, just black walls , a chair and a connection to a bell , which focuses the concentration on the acting and emotions with dramatic , atmospheric lighting and startling use of blackouts.
The show begins rather calmly and quietly with Alfieri , ( dapper distinguished David Lynch in an elegant suit and tie ) , the lawyer who acts as narrator , commentator and chorus , setting the scene for us taking us to America in the 1950’s and recalling a case that  preyed upon his mind for ages afterwards. It is a view from the Brooklyn Bridge but also Alfieri’s , blurring  both worlds , two continents and involving an understanding of modern day justice and the American legal system , an ancient vendetta and love and betrayal as well as hidden volcanic undertones and unspoken secrets. Quite operatic and/or with shades of Romeo and Juliet perhaps ( Or should that be West Side Story?)
The case concerns Eddie Carbone , (Antony Gooley ) a middle-aged hard working longshoreman – we see how his devotion to his niece Catherine ( Zoe Terakes )  becomes a rather sinister ,dominating  and controlling  overwhelming obsession, particularly after she falls in love with Rodolpho the younger of two illegal immigrants that Eddie covertly hides in his house. Eddie transgresses a community taboo and there are disastrous , deadly consequences .Could Alfieri have done anything? Should he have? Alfieri asks both himself and us.
As Eddie , Gooley in a bravura performance is a dangerous, intense and threatening man , at times bullish and full of half hidden unspoken emotions .Gooley reveals his flaws and how he is repressive , egotistical and  somewhat ignorant ,not letting Catherine live her own life or listen to his wife Beatrice. We see how his self worth deflates and wither away. There is a chilling , scene where he  taps his wedding ring on the back of  the wooden chair in ‘discussion’ with the other characters – the intensity of the emotion is palpable and rather frightening.
Zoe Terakes gives a magnificent performance as his teenaged niece Catherine , unsettled , fresh out of secretarial college and all excited about starting her new job , while spreading her wings and trying to forge an independent life. Terakes makes her character complex vibrant and passionate - we see her change from rather innocent and naïve , to a more mature woman.
Eddie’s caring , concerned , rather annoyed and  embittered wife Beatrice is given an excellent performance by Janine  Watson .She supports Catherine , at first tries to keep the peace and protect and encourage Catherine  and at first she seems staid and calm , we see how she tries to placate Eddie  but her actions eventually fail , she loses her ability to cope with the man she loved and  eventually she almost erupts .
The warm , very hard working  dependable and sensible ,Marco  who joyously temporarily takes to American life in order to support his family in Italy is ably portrayed by  David Soncin. We see how Marco still has massive ties , emotionally in particular , to Italy and the standards that apply there .
Tall ,blonde ,cheeky , singing ,  charismatic , dress making Rodolpho, full of the joy of life is wonderfully played by handsome Scott Lee. 
A riveting production magnificently acted and directed with elements of a Greek tragedy - with its issues of domestic violence and control and illegal immigrants still very relevant today .
https://www.ensemble.com.au/
Running time two hours no interval
4& ½ stars
A View From the Bridge runs at the Ensemble Theatre 18 July – 24 August 2019


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