Theatre / camus
Review: Outsiders, Brewery Theatre
The doors shut, banishing the encroaching winter cold. The lights come up and the audience are suddenly peering into an Algerian coastal kitchen, complete with cracked tiled flooring and the beating yellow sun. The genius addition of a few simple stones by set designer Lydia Denno are all that are needed to transport the audience across the Mediterranean.
York’s Pilot Theatre make their Bristol debut with a production based on Albert Camus’ French colonial novel L’Etranger (usually translated as The Outsider), centred on its nihilist (anti-)hero Meursault. Pilot’s production revolves around an encounter between Meursault’s girlfriend Marie (Lou Broadbent) and Sumaya (Sara Sadeghi), the sister of one of the Arabs he has murdered. Set three years after the murder, Outsiders gives voice to the forgotten in a compelling reimagining of the original novel.
The couple’s symbiosis is tuned to perfection. Lines spoken in unison have clearly been drilled religiously, and there never even a momentary dropping out of character. Whilst one is reeling off their account of Meursault’s killing, the other sits tight with pursed lips and rolling eyes, snorting through flared nostrils with a knowing smirk.
Initial fears of Lou Broadbent’s somewhat flat performance are quelled as the story progresses. Her ability to switch character is clear, as she effortlessly transitions to provide the prosecution’s testimony as a disembodied character.
Emteaz Hussain’s writing captures the inequality in Camus’ narrative – and the colonial tone in which the original was written. “We don’t even have names!” Sumaya cries. “[Meursault] was executed in the name of the French people, not our people.” The writing also distils language’s inefficiencies – painting broad brush strokes while ignoring the important minutiae: “Everything is true and nothing is true,” says the ‘Arab girl’ of the original novel.
The tension builds toward a frantic crescendo as the play draws to its thrilling and damning conclusion. Cast and creative team pull off the ultimate feat, leaving the audience debating the ending as they saunter through the exit doors and back into the cold night.
Outsiders continues at the Brewery Theatre until Saturday, November 28. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/outsiders
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
