These days, when I go to the theatre, I try not to have expectations ahead of the play - not give it much thought beforehand and see how the show surprises me. With my high expectations I can be difficult to please, I am told, so that is a better, healthier attitude for me to take.
A fan of Virginia Woolf, I have to admit the main reason I wanted to see Who is afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Tobacco Factory Theatre is because the English writer was named in the play's title.
Directed by David Mercatali, the play is set in Martha's and George's living room, a middle-aged couple, who have invited a younger couple over after a university faculty party. It is 2am in the morning when the guests - Nick and Honey - arrive and the drinks keep pouring in this alcohol-fuelled night.
Right from the start, it is obvious there are significant underlying tensions between the older couple and, rather than de-escalating, the atmosphere becomes more asphyxiating as the night goes on. Martha and George have a secret which seems to underpin everything and there are two characters - Martha's "daddy" and the couple's son who feel very present despite not being seen.
Who is afraid of Virginia Woolf? is an exploration of marriage and reflects the intimacy and playfulness in a couple's relationship, as well as its darker, messier side - the tensions, the arguments and even the bitterness and regrets.
In order to do this, humour is used which is mainly led by the main two characters. Martha and George have the strongest personalities and, using vivid expressions which make the anger feel truly real, it is inevitable to get drawn into the couple's drama.
As the evening goes on, the couples may look increasingly relaxed, revealing their secrets because the alcohol is taking over. However, things are not what they seem and, with the excuse of playing "games", violence and humiliation become normalised. In some ways, George reminded me of Walter White of Breaking Bad, the frustrated chemistry teacher who turns to cooking meth after discovering he has cancer.
In my mind, the play feels fast-paced and engaging at some points but, spreading over three acts across nearly three and a half hours, it also felt slow and long.
If you have early starts during the week, I would maybe advice going for a weekend show as the play didn't finish until 11pm when we went to see it on a Tuesday evening.
Who is afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a cruel, vicious play depicting the dysfunctionality of certain marriages. Like the characters, you feel trapped by their drama.
