Based on Ibsen's Little Eyolf, Samuel Adamson's new play Mrs Affleck is a tragic and passionate tale of obsessive love set on the 1950s south coast of England. Entry Pass member Hannah Waxman came to the show's press night on Tuesday 27th January and gives her opinions below:

Mrs Affleck is essentially a story about the unattractive side to parenthood and relationships. Adamson, through Ibsen's harrowing story of Little Eyolf, recounts the story of the Affleck family post-World War Two. Whereas the modern references are made clear through the simple but effective setting of the modern kitchen equipped with radio and state-of-the art fridge, and the constant modern references to current affairs, such as "the Japanese fishermen with radiation poisoning", the essential essence of the story is not lost.

It is through the more than convincing acting, principally on the part of Clare Skinner as Rita, and to a lesser extent Angus Wright as Alfred, that the tense and serious nature of this play is portrayed. The crazed jealous wife turned guilt ridden mother highlights some of the central issues to the play; namely motherhood, death and love. All these themes were thoroughly explored in the context of the war; the effects that they had on the protagonists were clearly extensive and atrocious. Furthermore, a real atmosphere of guilt caused downfall and descent into madness was created and one could feel little pity with either Rita or Alfred.

A thought provoking play which leaves you as miserable as the characters.

Hannah Waxman