• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews

Review: The Woods at Southwark Playhouse

"the performances from Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum gives the play new energy"

by Greg Stewart
March 1, 2022
Reading Time: 3 mins read
The Woods credit Pamela Raith Photography

The Woods credit Pamela Raith Photography

David Mamet’s The Woods hasn’t always been all that warmly received by critics but has attained a status of notoriety for its portrayal of the ‘battle of the sexes’. Once banned from being performed in New York for almost a decade, the two-hander receives its first UK revival in 21 years at Southwark Playhouse, under the direction of Russell Bolam.

Nick and Ruth are spending the weekend at Nick’s summerhouse, perhaps Nick has brought other girls here in the past, but now, away from the grime and noise of the city, the couple’s fledgling relationship is put under immense pressure. Over the course of a single evening the pair play on each other’s weaknesses, exploiting them for their own gain.

For the first two acts of The Woods, Mamet’s script trickles along without anything of real note happening.  It’s a slow burning introduction to the characters, Ruth is excitable and asks question after question.  Nick is more reserved, almost bored of Ruth’s seemingly unending enthusiasm for the great outdoors.

       

Their differences become more apparent, leaving us to wonder how they got together in the first place.  Nick’s slow transformation seems to come about for no reason, but still, it escalates the tensions, and the play becomes brutally violent, and sometimes uncomfortable.

Sitting underneath Anthony Lamble’s rustic wooden set, Sam Frenchum and Francesca Carpanini as Nick and Ruth respectively, save Mamet’s script from itself.  Carpanini confidently flexes from the naïve Ruth of the early scenes to the more confident, battle-ready, powerful woman of the later scenes.

You mightalso like

The Woods credit Pamela Raith Photography

First Look: The Woods at Southwark Playhouse

The Woods Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum Photo Pamela Raith Photography

First Look: The Woods at Southwark Playhouse in Rehearsal

As for Nick, what has prompted the change of behaviour matters less thanks to Sam Frenchum’s captivating performance.  Nick’s unpredictability is further emphasised by Frenchum, giving the audience a much deeper insight to the character.

Mamet has claimed in the past that audiences don’t necessarily understand The Woods because its subject matter is heterosexuality, and that was not a ‘hot topic’ in theatre.  Perhaps, but it may also be because the script is lacking on several fronts, and the repetition and use of dream-like doesn’t make it any easier for the audience to connect.

In terms of writing, The Woods leaves a lot to be desired, but in this production, director Russell Bolam makes the most of the material, and the performances from Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum gives the play new energy.  It’s worth catching, because who knows, it may be another two decades before we see it in London again.

 

       

The Woods is at Southwark Playhouse until 26 March, 2022.

A The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
A The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
A The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
A The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
A The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
The Woods Pamela Raith Photography
The Woods credit Pamela Raith Photography
The Woods credit Pamela Raith Photography
Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

The Woods credit Pamela Raith Photography
First Look

First Look: The Woods at Southwark Playhouse

The Woods Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum Photo Pamela Raith Photography
First Look

First Look: The Woods at Southwark Playhouse in Rehearsal

Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum photo Michael Wharley
News

The Woods to Open at Southwark Playhouse Starring Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum

OLEANNA Jonathan Slinger as John and Rosie Sheehy as Carol. Photo © Nobby Clark
News

David Mamet’s Oleanna to Tour Ahead of West End Transfer

Comments 3

  1. Pingback: First Look: The Woods at Southwark Playhouse - Theatre Weekly
  2. Pingback: First Look: The Woods at Southwark Playhouse in Rehearsal - Theatre Weekly
  3. Pingback: The Woods to Open at Southwark Playhouse Starring Francesca Carpanini and Sam Frenchum - Theatre Weekly

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Full cast of Shucked credit Pamela Raith Photography

First Look Production Image Released for Shucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Original cast recording Behind the Scenes. Company. Photo Juan Coolio

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Original West End Cast Recording to Be Released by First Night Records

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly