A Little Life review: a ‘grisly spectacle’ starring James Norton
Norton excels in this accurate and ‘chilling’ depiction of the long-term effects of abuse
It’s “rare for a play to be a phenomenon before it even opens”, but A Little Life has managed that, said Sarah Crompton on What’s On Stage. The 2015 novel by Hanya Yanagihara on which it is based – about a New York lawyer whose life has been destroyed by physical and sexual abuse – is regarded with quasi-religious reverence by some (but as “trauma porn” by its detractors). And theatregoers have leapt at the chance to see Happy Valley’s James Norton on stage. Although not belonging to either fanbase, I was impressed by this long, gruelling adaptation from the acclaimed Belgian director Ivo van Hove. It is “as involving and accurate a depiction of the long-term effects of abuse as you could expect to see” – but I was left wondering “why I would want to delve so deep”.
The plot follows Jude (played by Norton), an orphaned child who is taken in by Christian monks, then groomed and raped over several years, said Arifa Akbar in The Guardian. He escapes at 15 only to fall into the clutches of a sadistic doctor (all the abusers are played by one actor, Elliot Cowan, in a series of “chilling” performances). The play, which shuttles between Jude’s present and his “monstrous past”, has a “ruthless integrity to it”, showing the effects of abuse across a lifetime, with “horrifying repetition” and “plenty of spurting blood” as Jude self-harms. Yet for all the production’s excellent qualities, it is unsatisfying as drama: it seems merely to “wallow” in the horror of “bearing witness” to Jude’s story.
The core problem, said Sarah Hemming in the FT, is that without the “slow evolution of the 720-page narrative, the story becomes just a “grisly spectacle”: a relentless pile-up of suffering that fails to draw you in emotionally. Jude’s friends, so crucial in providing warmth and balance in the novel, remain sketchy despite the best efforts of fine actors. And notwithstanding Norton’s “exemplary” performance of “honesty and vulnerability”, it feels as if we are not meeting Jude as a person, “just watching him being obliterated”.
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.
Harold Pinter Theatre until 18 June, then Savoy Theatre 4 July-5 August (alittlelifeplay.com). Rating ***
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
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour – an 'expansive' exhibition
The Week Recommends The 'sweeping' show features over 140 works from paintings to ceramics
By The Week UK Published
-
Kate Summerscale picks her favourite true crime books
The Week Recommends The writer shares works by Janet Malcolm, Helen Garner and Mark O'Connell
By The Week UK Published
-
The Forsyte Saga: 'faultless' production with a 'pitch-perfect' cast
The Week Recommends Theatrical adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels is a 'must-see' show
By The Week Published
-
6 exciting homes for athletes
Feature Featuring a rock-climbing wall in New York and a basketball-tennis court in Washington
By The Week Staff Published
-
Peter Ames Carlin's 6 favorite books on pop culture icons
Feature The author recommends works by James McBride, Jim Bouton, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Wild Robot: animated adventure is 'warm, funny and wise'
The Week Recommends 'Sharply written and richly detailed' adaptation of Peter Brown's best-selling book
By The Week UK Published
-
Francis Bacon: Human Presence – a 'stirring, splendid' exhibition
The Week Recommends 'Riveting' show at the National Portrait Gallery explores the artist's 'wild' portraits
By The Week UK Published
-
Robert McCrum shares his favourite books on sport
The Week Recommends Writer and editor picks works by Nick Hornby, David Goldblatt and others
By The Week UK Published