Theatre review: The Visit
Friedrich Dürrenmatt's Swiss classic The Visit, transported to 1950s America, poses the question: how much would you kill for?
The Visit, Adapted by Tony Kushner from a play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Directed by Jeremy Herrin, Running at the National Theatre until 13 May
There’s an old joke about Lord Beaverbrook asking someone he met at a party if she was willing to sleep with him for a million dollars. When she replied that she was, he asked her if she was willing to sleep with him for $100. “What do you think I am?” the woman replied. “We’ve already established what you are. All we’re doing is bargaining about price.” The Visit, adapted by Tony Kushner from a play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt and currently running at the National Theatre, makes the case that, like the woman in the joke, everyone has a price.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The new adaptation moves the action from Switzerland to Slurry, a fictional town in upstate New York, in the 1950s. The postwar shift to the suburbs has decimated the local economy, leaving Slurry’s city government bankrupt. The town pins its hopes on a visit from Claire Zachanassian (Lesley Manville), the wealthiest woman in the world, who grew up there. Zachanassian promises a huge amount of money to be split between the town and its individual inhabitants, but on one condition – that they kill her former lover (Hugo Weaving), who abandoned her while she was pregnant. The shocked townspeople initially refuse, but they quickly begin to have second thoughts.
It’s safe to say that the ultimate destination of the play is clear from the moment it begins. But the skill of this adaptation is in making the journey arresting. Director Jeremy Herrin draws excellent performances from his cast, especially from Manville, who is commanding and vengeful but also able to show flashes of twisted affection. Weaving effectively portrays a man aware of his fate, but unable to summon up the courage to leave the town. Some of the secondary characters, especially Nicholas Woodeson as the mayor and Sara Kestelman as a teacher, are also compelling.
Some people might balk at the running time, which is nearly four hours when you factor in the two intervals. But fear not, there really is no moment when the production begins to sag. This is partly due to the writing and the acting, but it is also due to the production values, especially Paul Englishby’s haunting noir soundtrack, as well as the set, which evokes the period. There are also some nicely dark comic flourishes – the two minions who accompany Zachanassian wherever she goes and the vaudeville chorus of two blind eunuchs (Simon Startin and Paul Gladwin), who have already felt the force of Zachanassian’s vengeance, are amusing.
The Visit is a strong and powerful tragicomedy and an indictment of the corrupting influence of money and the corrosive effects on the modern economy when it is driven by access to cheap credit.
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Climate studies are increasingly becoming politicized'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 6, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - university encampments, Florida's abortion ban, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Boeing and NASA ready first crewed Starliner flight
Speed Read Two NASA astronauts are heading to the International Space Station
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure
The Week Recommends An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published