This wonderful theatre space in the popular Woolloomooloo pub is currently host to Sport for Jove’s version of the Tristan – Isolde story, on until June 1. There have been dozens of adaptations of this ancient love story, usually called Tristan and Isolde. In this version, German playwright Esther Vilar reversed the title, reimagined Wagner’s opera and focused solidly on the war between Cornwall and Ireland. The two countries have fought for generations. To attain peace, Isolde, the Princess of Ireland, is betrothed to the King of Cornwall. In order for Isolde to be available, Tristan, the King’s heir, must first kill the Princess’s lover. He beheads him and sends the head to Isolde. Not a good start to a peaceful reconciliation.
Tristan is ordered by the King to sail Isolde from Ireland to Cornwall for the wedding. The handsome young Tristan is alone on the boat with the beautiful Isolde for several weeks. The inevitable happens. But is it love, raging sex drive or the Irish whiskey love potion that Isolde brought with her for the journey?
Does Isolde resent being traded to end the war – her body used so that her country is taken over? Will she take revenge and break the treaty by seducing Tristan? Will Isolde confess to the King? Will she choose Tristan over the aging king? Will she purposely end the treaty, refusing to bow down to the condescending mainlanders by forging jealously between the King and Tristan?
Some of the story is predictable. In an early scene we learn that Isolde has brought the love potion with her, and a poison in a locket that could kill within seconds. The stage is all black, an ominous setting. A sword is centre stage, hooked onto the mast. The scene is set for murder. We know from the start that there will be a tragic ending. There was only one odd thing. Late in the story the King uses a mobile phone to take a selfie and Tristan uses a mobile’s torch to navigate. This sudden contemporisation completely throws the audience off course. There had been no previous modern devices and the phone ruins the scene.
The story is includes interludes from Wagner’s opera sung magnificently by Octavia Barron Martin, accompanied on the piano by Justin Leong . These powerfully sung passages create a larger almost monumental atmosphere without the pomp.
Sport for Jove’s Damien Ryan is the director. The cast of three are all excellent. Sean O’Shea plays the playful King of Cornwall, Tom Wilson is Tristan and Emma Wright plays Isolde.The effective set is by Tom Bannerman. Sorie Bangura is the sound designer. Costume designer is Bernadette Ryan.
The theatre’s content warnings are of violence, nudity, coarse language, suicide, haze, adult themes. The warning is a bit over the top. Just don’t take the kids.
https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/isolde-and-tristan
Until June 1
