Martin Sherman’s play Rose on the Park Theatre is framed by two an identical killings a long time aside, and the titular character witnesses each.
Maureen Lipman in Rose Park Theatre, Sep 2022. Photo: Mark Senior
Played by Dame Maureen Lipman, Rose sits Shivah on a wood bench, reflecting on her life.
Born in Ukraine within the Twenties, it’s a lifetime of looking out and surviving; she strikes in direction of the thrill of Warsaw as an adolescent, and when the Nazis arrive survives by hiding.
After the battle, her looking out and surviving proceed taking her throughout Europe after which the US through Palestine. Once in America, she strikes pushed by economics and alternative.
But whereas this can be a life formed by brutal battle and racism, it’s also a lifetime of love, romance, and humour. Rose, as performed by Lipman, is witty and deadpan.
“I’ve solely obscure, wandering photos of my childhood, however yesterday – I bear in mind every little thing single factor about yesterday. Nothing occurred yesterday.”
She will not be shy in regards to the particulars and talks about love and intercourse nearly in the identical tone as shedding family members. There are occasional emotional outbursts – anger and tears – however largely, she is matter-of-fact, her vitality as an individual expressed in her actions as described – and that humour.
Rose’s is a life in 80 years of historical past or historical past in 80 years of life. It is a private story formed by large world occasions that present how classes of historical past are by no means actually discovered.
It is a static play, with Rose sitting telling her story, which suggests every little thing hangs on Lipman and her efficiency. And it is a superb feat of appearing endurance, delivering 2+ hours of storytelling with solely the occasional pause to take a sip of water or eat some ice cream.
Her comedian timing is great.
That stated, the tempo and tone did imply I felt the working instances every now and then.
Rose is a play a few life examined to the extremes however one which is lived as absolutely as attainable, regardless of it. I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Rose, Park Theatre
Directed by Scott Le Crass
Written by Martin Sherman
Running time 2.5 hours, together with an interval
Booking till 15 October for extra particulars and tickets, go to the Park Theatre web site.
Recently reviewed:
The Clinic, Almeida ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who Killed My Father, Young Vic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Silence, Donmar Warehouse ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Theatre arising quickly:
The Blue Alabama Sky, National Theatre and Candlesticks, White Bear Theatre