John Gabriel Borkman at The Bridge Theatre
I have a historical problem with Ibsen so went to see this one on my own so that no-one had to share any potential pain I was feeling. I noticed there were a lot of individual theatregoers at this performance so I wondered whether I am not the only one with a bit of a mental block, but more likely because there were a lot of seats available. I love the cheap stall seats at The Bridge Theatre though - a pretty good and comfortable view, much better than many far more expensive seats elsewhere. Simon Russell Beale (excellent as always) plays the disgraced alpha-male, angry at his loss of power and status, blaming everyone around him except himself for his downfall, and plotting a glorious return … sound familiar? The two sisters who are the recipients of his blame, and keep the blame game going by also blaming each other are played pitch perfectly by Clare Higgins and Lia Williams. Sebastian De Sousa switched on the charm as feckless son, doted on and fou...