A THRILLING new production of Thérèse Raquin starring Alison Steadman, Pippa Nixon, Desmond Barrit, Kieran Bew and Hugh Skinner is currently on stage at the Theatre Royal, as part of Bath’s 2014 Summer Season.
Directed by Jonathan Munby, this new version of Emile Zola’s passionate love story is by multi award-winning writer Helen Edmundson, who has received acclaim for her work with the RSC, the National Theatre and Shared Experience.
Written in 1867, Zola’s Thérèse Raquin is a story of lust, madness and destruction set within the backstreets of Paris. Married off according to her domineering aunt’s wishes, the beautiful heroine becomes trapped in a loveless marriage to her cousin, Camille. Every Thursday evening she watches her aunt, Madame Raquin, play dominoes, until one day Camille brings along an old friend, the alluring and athletic Laurent. As he and Thérèse embark on an illicit affair, a turbulent passion is unleashed, sealing their fate with devastating consequences.
Zola’s enduringly fascinating play did not receive its London première until 1891, due to the Lord Chamberlain’s censorship. Both the original novel and the play have been seen in many stage, screen, television and radio adaptations, including a 2013 Hollywood film.
Thérèse Raquin appears at the Theatre Royal Bath until Saturday, August 16. Visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk for more details.
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