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Article: This rude, rough romp is far too pretty to stir much passion; First Night.
- Article from:
- The Evening Standard (London, England)
- Article date:
- July 23, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: NICHOLAS DE JONGH
The Relapse, Olivier Theatre
TREVOR NUNN is surprisingly behaving as if he were the National's resident cosmetic artist, charged with prettifying plays. He has camouflaged or painted over the rude, raw spots that distinguish The Relapse, John Vanbrugh's 1696 comedy in which sexual manners come rough and ready for the drop of a skirt, and morals are tossed aside like last year's fashions.
Nunn's longwinded production, in which he's assisted by Stephen Rayne, is a sumptuous, old-fashioned farcical romp with song and dance. It casts a sentimental glow over cynical sexual intrigues, the artful making of one marriage and ...