Review: Kit Green dazzles as Mrs Dalloway in visually stunning solo show
Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway is famous for its stream-of-consciousness style, moving between memories and the present as Clarissa Dalloway prepares to host a party in post-First World War England.
Storyhouse's latest adaptation embraces that fluidity, transforming the novel into a visually ambitious one-woman show
Award-winning writer and performer Kit Green takes centre stage, portraying not only Clarissa but around 15 other characters, including husband Richard Dalloway, former suitor Peter Walsh, old friend Sally Seton, maid Lucy and traumatised war veteran Septimus Warren Smith.
Jen Heyes, known for her cinematic approach to theatre, often creates productions that combine striking visuals, emotional depth and distinctive storytelling. Mrs Dalloway is no exception.
The production leans heavily into visual storytelling. A screen is used throughout to expand the cast, allowing Green to interact with filmed versions of characters she also plays herself, while also offering a window into Septimus's increasingly disturbed state of mind.
Monika Koeck's video design is particularly striking. In one memorable sequence, Septimus finds himself alone in an empty theatre, taunted by a looming sense of danger. Then, a white gloved hand emerges from behind the curtain before a clown launches into an unsettling song-and-dance routine, complete with birds perched on each finger singing their own verse in Greek.
It's bizarre, disorientating, and most likely exactly the point.
With minimal props, the production instead draws on colourful lighting, music and inventive video design to transport audiences through different periods of Clarissa's life. Green moves effortlessly between characters and timelines, displaying remarkable versatility and command of the stage
There is no questioning Green's talent. Carrying a production of this scale alone is a remarkable feat, and she does so with dazzling charisma.
However, the adaptation is at its strongest when led by Woolf's original story. Frequent breaks in the fourth wall, during which Green reflects on her own relationship with the novel, addresses the audience directly or performs songs about her anxieties surrounding Woolf, felt less successful. At times, these moments tipped the production towards self-indulgence and diluted the emotional power of the performance.
Throughout the evening, Green repeatedly returns to the idea of a party. Clarissa's famous gathering becomes a metaphor for the production itself - lively, chaotic and occasionally overwhelming.
While some of its self-reflective detours do not always land, Green's commanding performance ensures the evening remains compelling. If you're happy to join in, enjoy a bit of audience participation and don't mind something delightfully odd, this may be a party worth attending.
You can watch Mrs Dalloway at Storyhouse until Saturday 6 June. More information and tickets can be found here.
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