Posted by Danni Le Toullec on May 4, 2010
The first few moments of Honour give a literal meaning to the age-old saying ‘love is blind’, as the Sydney Opera House’s Drama Theatre was plunged into complete darkness. It is not bound by reality or responsibility. It suffices as an excuse for any kind of behaviour or acts of recklessness. It can provide reason to turn your world upside down and inside out, in a moment.
Joanna Murray-Smith’s Honour breathes life into the well-told tale of adultery and marriage breakdown. When Claudia, a young ambitious journalist, embarks on a profile of George, a well-known literary figure, it doesn’t take long for his gaze to wander from Honour, his wife of thirty-two years.
Directed by Lee Lewis, this play consistently questions the ideals of passion, sacrifice and persistence. William Zappa and Wendy Hughes are flawless in their depiction of a husband and wife, forced to realise that we are all at the mercy of love.
They say that illusion is the first of all pleasures: An affair is undoubtedly the best example of that. Reflected in Claudia’s admiring eyes, George is once again, in his prime. Disguised as love, this is one man grasping for freedom, from a life that he sees as pre-determined.
Designer Michael Scott-Mitchell’s set of curved, vertical wooden beams is minimalist and pulls the focus toward the actors without the distraction of a household setup.
Since the play’s debut in 1995, it has been produced in three dozen countries, travelling to London’s West End and Broadway, making stops from Brazil to Croatia. It will be setting up shop in Sydney until the May 29.
honour, sydney theatre company, sydney opera house, wendy hughes, william zappa