Review of ‘The Deep Blue Sea’: “Wave-of-the-past narrative makes a splash in the current scene”

Terence Rattingan’s 1950 classics returns to the London scene in this new production starring Tamsin Greig. Guillermo Nazara puts the show in the dock, to let us if it ports enough quality.

Everyone harbors a broken soul – in some way or another. It’s a harsh maxim we try to look away from, no matter how close it hits, but one which, despite our efforts, we can never distance ourselves from. Neither could Terence Rattigan when he started drafting the first words of his 1950s classic, The Deep Blue Sea – allegedly inspired by his secret romance with actor Kenny Morgan.

A queer-coded narrative using the recurring female archetype as an envelope to convey the heart of a gay man, the piece brings forward, with unapologetic rawness, the by-then taboo topic of suicide. An honest exploration that doesn’t aim to find good or evil, but instead understand the chiaroscuro that concocts the human canvas, the play is a formidable effort of boldness and gravitas that has proven its untouchability to the passing of time – preserving its resonance with the contemporary viewer; perhaps, with a firmer grip than in its original run.

Director Lindsay Posner demonstrates her grasp of this principle. As such, the piece features no modern-day amendments to appeal to new audiences. Its figurative staging instantly transports us to an era we can’t relate to in terms of fashion, customs, or social standards. But the invariable motivations that build anyone’s spirit still permeate with astounding precision.

Poignant, insightful, and deeply stirring, both script and production manage to draw out the narrative’s emotional power without veering into the easy melodrama. It’s dreadfully tragic, even distressing at some points. But it never comes off as histrionism. Instead, it paints life with its actual colours: unfiltered, unpolished, and full of imperfections.

Moving at a slow but steady cadence, the show accomplishes a striking level of verity. Rattigan’s words, rooted in the prosaic poetry of his personal truth, serve as the basis of this compelling act of hyper-realism – where we don’t get the impression of watching a performance but peeping through a window, as we observe actual people dealing with actual issues.

The cast’s overall excellence ensures its effectiveness – with their naturalistic style leading to highly arresting renditions. Among them, Hadley Fraser delivers one of the most memorable appearances as Freddie through his dashing approach to the character, while Nicholas Farrell and Finbar Lynch make another standout as Sir William Collyer and Miller – accentuating the sonority of their portrayals through their discreet, elegant take on the parts.

On the other hand, Tamsin Greig gives the most triumphant interpretation of the protagonist, Hester Collyer. Piercing and sympathetic, the heart-wrenching frailness she endows her role with is only surpassed by her haunting sincerity. Here, we come across a woman wounded by her flaws and decisions. And yet, all we can do is feel and care for her – no matter how far our journeys are from hers, we can’t help but project ourselves into her experience.

Going with the flow of today through a stream of universal themes, The Deep Blue Sea plunges audiences into an explosive array of crudeness and sentimentality without watering down its pungency. A salty jaunt that’s nonetheless guaranteed to captivate, its delicate but still punching pathos shores up the piece’s endurance – bucking the tide with a cascade of untamed realness.

All pictures credit to Manuel Harlan.

The Deep Blue Sea plays at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket until 21 June. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara