Long Day's Journey into Night - Bristol Theatre Review

Posted on: 2016-03-30

Our rating:

A harrowing and poignant tale, Richard Eyre?s production is a powerfully staged, on the whole beautifully played and heart-wrenching piece of theatre, leaving the audience physically drained and emotionally overwrought.


 

Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece, Long Day’s Journey into Night has been brought to life on the stage at Bristol Old Vic. 

Review of Long Day's Journey Into Night for 365Bristol

This largely autobiographical tale of O’Neill’s own life is the centrepiece of Bristol Old Vic’s 250th Anniversary season. Directed by Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal, Iris) and starring acclaimed actor and Bristol Old Vic alumnus Jeremy Irons, opposite Lesley Manville, this is a faithful telling of the drama that is regarded as O’Neill’s masterwork and magnum opus, as well as being one of the finest American plays of the 20th century.

It tells the story of one fateful August day in the life of the Tyrone family; parents James and Mary and their two sons Edmund and Jamie. Set in the family’s Connecticut home the tale revolves around themes of addiction and ill health, and the conflict this causes the characters. Blame, resentment, regret, denial and a complex array of raw emotions are laid bare as the family - who quite clearly love each other - tear each other apart as they battle their own private demons.

Watching the fundamentally flawed and largely dislikeable characters warp, suffocate, enable and ultimately destroy one another is not easy viewing. This is clearly not an evening of light entertainment, but running at 3 and half hours (including interval) this is an intense, thought provoking and achingly emotional piece.

As James Tyrone - the head of the family, once promising actor and matinee idol and now tiresome, mean old drunk - Jeremy Irons gives an understated performance conveying the anger and guilt of someone who realises they threw away their talent and destroyed their family in search of easy money.

Review of Long Day's Journey Into Night at The Bristol Old Vic for 365Bristol

The Tyrone household is clearly not a happy one. Son Edmund, played with overwhelming honesty by Billy Howle, is a brooding would-be writer coming to terms with being diagnosed as suffering with tuberculosis, and elder son Jamie is an irresponsible, womanising alcoholic. In his powerful performance and bold characterisation, Hadley Fraser perfectly captures this self-destructive young man full of doubt and self-loathing fury.

The three men are united in their despair over the descent of the family’s matriarch, Mary, back into the grip of morphine addiction. Lesley Manville delivers a stand out performance as Mary Tyrone, subtly conveying the gut-wrenching sorrow of someone wracked by an addiction they are powerless to control.

A harrowing and poignant tale, Richard Eyre’s production is a powerfully staged, on the whole beautifully played and heart-wrenching piece of theatre, leaving the audience physically drained and emotionally overwrought.

Running at Bristol Old Vic until 23rd April, this is a fine production and a must-see for avid theatregoers.

4/5

Reviewed by Sarah-Jane Howard for 365Bristol - The leading events and entertainment website for the city

Long Day's Journey Into Night at The Bristol Old Vic



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.