Review: Ben Miles swaps Cromwell cap for fake tan in Sunset at the Villa Thalia, National Theatre
02/06/2016
First I should clarify, Ben Miles, he of Cromwell/Wolf Hall fame, isn't the only member of the cast of Alexi Kaye Campbell's new play to have been sent off to get a fake tan. There is a good reason for getting rid of pasty complexions, as the setting is a holiday home on a small Greek island.
English couple Charlotte (Pippa Nixon) and Theo (Sam Crane) are on a work-cation - Theo is a playwright - and American couple June (Elizabeth McGovan) and Harvey (Ben Miles) are taking a break from Athens where Harvey works for the US government. Charlotte and Theo befriend the Americans at the port, well I say 'befriend', they are English so they invite them over to the house they are renting out of politeness rather than because they particularly like their company.
It is 1960s Greece. Harvey is on the one hand, loud and forthright with his opinions but on the other can be introspective and occasionally poetic. He loves theatre and obsesses over the play Theo is working on but there is also something about Harvey that makes you question quite how genuine he is.
June is warm, friendly and dutiful. She likes to drink. Perhaps it something to numb the boredom of her rootless life, following her husband and his job around the world or is it something else?
Charlotte and Theo seem content, they are a happy couple with a social conscious but romantic notions, something that leads them into making a decision that comes back to haunt them.
Sunset is one of those plays that feels quite light and airy at the time of watching - there are some laugh out loud moments - but its power, complexity starts to creep up on you afterwards. It doesn't have the shocks and emotional punch of Alexi Kaye Campbell's The Pride and I think that might in part be because it doesn't wear its emotions on its sleeve.
Poly vouched for the authenticity of the Greek setting and bits of Greek dialogue and Ben Miles Greek dancing is something to see. The principal cast make for fun foursome and were good company for the two hours and 20 minutes (including interval) running time. Sunset at the Villa Thalia is at the National Theatre on until August 4 and I'm giving it four stars.