The Human Body @ Donmar Warehouse…

Last week Stuart and I went to go and see The Human Body at the Donmar Warehouse in London Galaxy West End

 

Keeley Hawes and Jack Davenport star in Lucy Kirkwood’s romantic drama which is in equal measure a postmodern take on Brief Encounter, the birth of NHS, and a fight for a woman to be heard and to live the life she wants. 

 

The Brief Encounter aspect follows a similar plot to the film, two married people meeting on a train, and their forbidden love that follows. On stage camera work sees projection of the lovers in close-up so their large faces loom behind them as we were in a cinema. It is very effective. And seems to be in theatrical vogue at the moment.

 

The stage action was beautifully realised - the actors were grey and every bit of props and scenery was blue. It was quite aluring.

 

The language was natural and the story compelling. 

 

Hawes’s character is a doctor, and an aspiring politician. A Socialist. Someone who is fighting for the birth of the NHS. And fighting to be listened to.

 

The action takes place in 1948. Attitudes of the time are on keen display as her husband, recovering from the war, fights to keep his ‘little woman’ by his side. More conflict after The Conflict.

 

The love story was genuinely arresting and beautifully played. The political points were gently introduced but clearly stated. The fight of our heroine to be heard both in her working environment, and domestic environment seemed as true to life as they were painful to watch. 

 

It was a wonderful show. Very funny.  Incredibly moving.  Brilliantly acted. Not only our two leads, but by the three adult supporting actors Pearl Mackie, Siobhan Redmond and Tom Goodman-Hill who each played multiple roles. 

 

Go see.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️