Review of ‘Who Is Claude Cahun?’: “Photo-based play struggles to create a three-dimensional picture”

The Southwark Playhouse hosts the London premiere of this historical play — exploring the romantic relationship between the surrealist artist and their photographer during the Nazi occupation of Jersey. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show — to let us know if its attempts come across as a hollow cause.

They say we all wear masks to conceal our true selves from the rest of the world. But more often than not, they don’t hide away who we really are — but protect it instead. A succession of false faces serves as the starting point of Who Is Claude Cahun?, a new play by D. R. Hill exploring the LGBT writer’s personal and political quest, which opened last week at London’s Southwark Playhouse.

A prelude to the character’s ongoing need to disguise their identity in the eyes of a prejudiced society, the show depicts their comittment to speak out and fight for their beliefs — all the time, backed by the unconditional support of the only one who knew their worth, and who in front of others couldn’t be more than a friend or a sister.

The script lays the ground for a compelling premise with countless dramatic possibilities. Sadly, none of its potential is ever accomplished in the end — through a heavy-handed text that, despite its continuous efforts at delivering an emotional, resonating recount, lets all its pathos and engagement fly away through its lack of polish, profundity, and credibility.

Though bringing up the right themes, its overly linear narrative and shallow approach prevent the piece from achieving any level of poignancy — let alone memorability. The subjects are all there, and all of them flaunt enough grip — from the harrowing historical events it covers during the Nazi occupation of Jersey to its philosophy of resilience against oppression in any form. The problem, however, is that as much as these ideas compose a most stirring list, their effect is severely minimized by all of them being widely unexplored.

On the whole, the plot feels rushed and stagnated at the same time. It presents us with facts that run through every scene without being given sufficient space to unravel, yet the characters’ arcs remain, for the entire course, at the same spot they stood on at the start of the performance.

The dialogue struggles to even the journey, too — not displaying the worst flow but unable to boast too much perceptiveness and, above all, naturalness. In addition, its confusing assortment of styles, swiftly moving from tragedy to farce and, from there, to sequences inspired by German expressionism, can only further the sense of detachment it projects onto the viewer — not providing its storytelling with dynamism or variety but instead incoherence and disorganization.

The cast tries their best to make the piece’s clunky machinery work more smoothly. Nonetheless, several performances aren’t too successful in that endeavour — some of which come off as unlayered and, all in all, wooden.

Rivkah Bunker as the lead and Amelia Armande as their love interest, Marcel Moore, have some level of charm. Yet, the absence of chemistry and rapport onstage compromises the outcome of their renditions. Despite their lines, the romantic tension serving as the core of the narrative doesn’t pour through their portrayals at any moment — leaving us with an impression of distance rather than the lifelong bond they were supposed to share. Gethin Alderman makes a minor exception through his versatile interpretation — which, though not the most refined, still exudes range and presence through the multiple roles he embodies.

Taking us on a photographic trip through the black-and-white legacy of two transcendent artists, Who Is Claude Cahun? may spark audiences’ interest in the real-life characters. However, its maladroit execution fails to bring any colour — ultimately landing as an aseptic experience without much of a heart. It has all the elements to turn itself into an inspiring, thrilling, and even thought-provoking theatrical adventure. So far, though, that flash of brilliance is yet to be captured.

All pictures credit to Paddy Gormley.

Who Is Claude Cahun? plays at London’s Southwark Playhouse Borough until 12 July. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara