smallhobbit | Belleville

It's nearly six years since I last went to the Donmar Warehouse in London. I hadn't realised it was so long. I've no idea why, but I've a feeling when they have had productions I've been interested in the timing has been wrong. However, this time when they brought out their new plays there were a couple I was interested in and so I bought tickets.

The first was Belleville, a play by Amy Herzog, first staged in New York five years ago. It starred James Norton (Sidney Chambers in Grantchester, my SmallFandom Big Bang choice this year), apparently I rising actor, who I thought it would be interesting to see on stage. It also meant, if I saw the Friday evening performance I could stay over and go to a one day retreat on the Saturday, which is something I'd been thinking about for a while. So, two birds with one stone.

I had a balcony seat with a side-on view, but could see perfectly well. The set, which remains the same throughout the play, is of a small flat in Paris, and well done. Watching the first few scenes I was dubious as to where the play was going (the programme has a long article on Millenials, which I gave up on, although having just glanced at the last sentence, I agree with the final thought), but the pace picks up, there are twists which explain the almost lacklustre start, and overall I enjoyed it.

The two main actors, James Norton and Imogen Poots, were okay, but neither sparked for me. The supporting actors Malachi Kirby and Faith Alabi (who I was delighted to see again, having seen her in Trouble in Mind in the autumn) seemed to have more depth.

Overall, I was happy to have seen the play, but I wouldn't rave about it. And as part of a trip to London, I'm glad I did it. I shall be writing more about the retreat later in the month, but both parts made up a well worthwhile whole.