Theatre REVIEW: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - ★★★★★
‘Give me a girl at an impressionable age, and she is mine for life’
At the Marcia Blaine School for Girls, junior-school teacher Miss Jean Brodie is famously, in her prime.
Each year, Brodie selects her ‘set’. The crème de la crème of girls whom she will shape through art and politics, stories of sexual liberation and titillating glimpses of the women they could become. In return, she demands utter loyalty from them all.
Witty, seductive and swirling in contradictions, Brodie’s mythical ability to invent her own truths and manipulate her girls ultimately leads her to risk everything.
In a new adaptation by David Harrower, which sharpens the knives of Spark’s extraordinary work, and with a cast lead by Gayle Rankin (Glow, House of The Dragon), this visceral production looks head on at our enduring moral fascination with such a beguiling and dangerous character.
Adapted by David Harrower from the novel by Muriel Spark
Directed by Vicky Featherstone
Featuring Gayle Rankin as Jean Brodie
A National Theatre of Scotland Production.
Presented in partnership with The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Where?
Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh - until 18th October - Part of Scotland Tour
Archie (Age 13 ) - ★★★★★
"The show is an adaptation of a novel. Miss Brodie is a teacher in a posh Edinburgh girls school in the 1930s. Each year she selects girls to be in her “set”.
I really enjoyed this play. It is partly a coming of age story about the girls with one act taking place when they are 11 and second when they are 15. Miss Brodie wants to expand their views on art, music and culture particularly on all things Italian.
The story focuses on Miss Brodie’s relationship with the girls which is partly inspiring teacher but manipulative. Miss Brodie also has relationships two male teachers.
All the acting was incredible. I really liked Mr Lowther the music teacher who was really funny. Miss Brodie was powerful and chilling. She is a fascist and this combined with her relationship with the girls unravels in the second half.
The stage was in a half amphitheater with steps which was used brilliantly. The music, lighting and video footage conveyed changes as well as the intensity and manipulation inherent in the story.
The costumes were really good especially the school uniform transition from junior to senior school which showed the girls were becoming more adult.
I have heard that the novel is Ian Rankin’s favourite and he reads it every year. I also loved the Edinburgh references.
The play is amazing and I would totally recommend. It looked like the entire audience were giving a standing ovation at the end."
Make sure you have booked in for the latest DRAMA CLASSES at Mix Up Theatre throughout Scotland :)
Comments