The Dance of Death – The Libra Theatre Café, Camden

Writer/Director: Glenn T. Griffin

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Intimate Interactions“

4 / 5

An adaptation of August Strindberg’s The Dance of Death where Glenn T. Griffin has re-imagined the script as the Covid-19 lockdown, and creative couple Alice and Edgar are stuck in their one-bedroom flat, plagued by frustration, boredom and unresolved arguments.

The pandemic has left them both with no escape from home, no connection outside of their bubble, no outlet to allow for a break from each other. Both of their careers are on pause – Edgar (Tom Ray) is used to being in control as a director, and Alice (Simina Ellis) is used to being in the spotlight, so both of them being cooped up indoors leads to the inevitable tension between them being unleashed. Alice’s relationship with a former lover gets scrutinised by Edgar, with every interaction, unspoken thought and illicit memory being questioned in a bitter war of words. Power dynamics are tested, their relationship gets pushed to its limits, secrets get revealed and things are said that can never be taken back.

The small room of The Libra Theatre Café works wonderfully for a show such as this. The audience sitting so closely to the characters means the tension between the pair is amplified, as we encroach on the characters intimate moments together. Being immersed in the small environment, means that every glistening tear, eye twinkle or pained facial expression is caught in a way that a larger space wouldn’t capture as well.

Both Ellis and Ray are fantastic at extracting the emotions from the storyline, their charged reactions to shocking revelations and spiteful comments, believable and engaging. As the fragments of their already unravelling relationship start to fall further apart, their mannerisms shift and interactions morph into varying different directions. Griffin’s script is intriguing, though can at points be a little bit meandering and would benefit at points from some tighter wording. The show is at its best when it explores the intricacies with focus and attention.

Runs until 28^th June 2025