Theatre Review: IN A FOREST DARK AND DEEP
rating: 3
Last night I attended a showing of In A Forest Dark and Deep, a dark comedy thriller from playwright and director Neil Labute (In The Company of Men, Lakeview Terrace) that stars Fox and Olivia Williams as two siblings in a psychological back-and-forth wordplay and that is playing at the Vaudeville Theatre in London throughout March & April, all the way to June 4th. Now theres stepping outside of your comfort zone and then theres being dragged out by your balls, and with this play its definitely a case of the latter. Even before the curtain is raised, writer/director Neil LaBute is already getting a firm grip on your sack- Audiences take their seats to a blaring playlist that includes artists such as The Doors, Led Zeppelin and System Of A Down, to name but a few. But what some havent realised is that these arent songs chosen by an over zealous theatre employee, but handpicked by LaBute himself, and this constant musical assault serves to fire us up for the war of words that is about to follow. (I was informed that the Vaudeville Theatre have actually received complaints from audience members asking for the music to be turned down or even changed, and whilst I was there it was funny to watch some of the theatre going aristocracy put their fingers in their ears and pull grimaces at each other). It would be no surprise if Matthew Foxs character, Bobby, had been listening to this same mix-tape on his drive over to his estranged sisters secluded cabin in the woods. Betty, played by Olivia Williams, has called Bobby over to help her shift some stuff after the unexpected departure of the old Tenant, but it soon transpires that theres more to her motives than meets the eye, and Bobby is more intent on yanking skeletons out of closets than he is helping pack up books. It would be unfair and very spoilerish to reveal any more than that, but what follows is a twisted exploration of sibling rivalry between two very messed up individuals. Its fair to say that certain character revelations will have the more easily offended theatregoer squirming in their seats, especially those who have only gone to see it because it has that nice Doctor from Lost in it.
As for the nice Doctor from Lost, Matthew Fox is superb as the volcano teetering on the edge of eruption that is Bobby, and he delivers some trademark LaBute dialogue with a venomous bite. One doubts that the many aforementioned fans in the audience werent expecting to see this from Dr. Jack Shephard! Its Olivia Williams, who, despite her earnestness, doesnt feel quite the right fit for the manipulative, former sexual predator that is Betty. Along with that, its hard to identify with either character, let alone feel any sympathy for them, and as a result the play lacks the emotional punch that it should have, and also that Foxs performance deserves. The other grievance is that this two-hander feels a tad long at 1hr and 40 minutes. Had Neil LaBute shaved off 15 minutes, he certainly wouldnt have lost any plot, and this would have been a far more satisfying, streamline affair. Still, if youre in London and fancy an alternative to the latest multiplex fodder, then In A Forest, Dark And Deep is worth a watch on the basis of Foxs excellent performance and the many barbed zingers he gets to deliver. More info & showing times here http://www.inaforestdarkanddeep.com/