Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway is no easy novel to adapt for the stage, yet this production embraces its complexity with a unique and artistic take, staged at the Storyhouse, Chester, where sanity leaves at the window.
At the heart of the performance is Kit Green, whose ability to embody multiple characters comes naturally. Switching seamlessly between accents and personalities, Green makes each character feel distinct and fully realised, and utilises comedic timing perfectly. The changes are effortless, allowing the audience to remain immersed in Woolf’s world rather than becoming distracted by the mechanics of multi-rolling.
The production doesn’t shy away from the novel’s darker themes. Mental health, trauma and grief are explored by creating moments that are genuinely hard-hitting, without ever feeling exploitative. Through Green’s performance and Jen Hayes’ assured co-direction, Woolf’s message remains at the forefront, delivered with intention and thoughtful deliberation. The result is an adaptation that feels both faithful to the source material and deeply relevant to contemporary audiences, with twists from Green’s brilliant mind.
One of the production’s most distinctive qualities is Green’s interaction with the audience between scenes. Lesser productions might risk breaking immersion, but here these pauses only strengthen the experience. Green provides insight into artistic choices while inviting audiences into the creative process. At various points, audience members are encouraged to participate, whether by joining Green on stage, contributing choreography to one of their original songs, or singing along. Rather than distancing the audience from the story, these moments foster a sense of collective engagement that makes the performance feel uniquely alive.
Visually, Mrs Dalloway is exceptional. Layered video work from film and video designer and editor Monika Koeck works in perfect harmony with Simon Kenny’s set design, creating a rich visual landscape that supports and elevates the storytelling. The projected imagery mirrors the emotional and psychological currents of the narrative, helping to bring Woolf’s interior world vividly to life. Every visual element feels purposeful, with design and performance working hand in hand throughout.
Music also plays a vital role in the production. Green’s original songs are beautifully woven into the adaptation, offering moments of humour, reflection and emotional resonance. They complement the text surprisingly naturally, adding another dimension to an already richly textured performance.
Inventive, moving and even madly vivacious, this adaptation demonstrates exactly how classic literature can be reimagined for modern theatre audiences. Through outstanding performance, Mrs Dalloway becomes far more than a retelling of Woolf’s novel. Written in the wake of a pandemic, during a period of political upheaval and economic hardship, Mrs Dalloway proves that Woolf’s insights into society and the human condition remain just as urgent today.
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