The British have long been fascinated with class divisions, never more so than today with the huge popularity of Downton Abbey and the revival of Upstairs, Downstairs. Swedish playwright Strindberg’s 1888 play Miss Julie, performed with great energy and verve by The Faction Theatre Co, has never been more relevant. The stage is set for an intense night of love/lust between this play’s two main characters: the aristocratic Miss Julia and her father’s footman, Jean.
The play is performed in a stripped down manner: the set is comprised merely of a wooden table and chairs. Sounds offstage accompany the actions of the actors: we hear pots clanging to demonstrate cooking etc., inviting the audience to imagine what cannot be seen. This, and the humming of the other actors from the back row, creates a frequently unsettling effect, in keeping with the play’s dark psychological explorations.
The daughter of the Count, Miss Julie (Leonie Hill) has refused to accompany her father to a party and has instead come to the servants’ ball, dancing wildly. She flirts shamelessly with the footman Jean (Cary Crankson) despite his protestations that it is not proper. Class, and the difference in rank between them is a central topic of their heated discussion. They circle each other in a poetic dance of language, alternately advancing and retreating. They share their dreams, with Leonie Hill effectively using the space and even standing on top of the table, demonstrating her desire to fall from the pillar on top of which she finds herself placed.
As the other revelling servants invade the stage, Jean hides Miss Julie in his room. When they emerge, it is clear that their relationship has been consummated and the drama between them escalates. Desperately, they try to decide what to do next, from planning to run away together to using words to hurt each other to the greatest possible extent.
The feeling is created of a night that never ends as Jean and Julie bombard each other with arguments and recriminations. There are some darkly comic moments too. The power balance between Julie and Jean constantly alternates, keeping the audience on its toes. She changes in an instant from being a powerful seductress to a weak, self-hating girl. Jean switches from being a noble man to a nasty and bitter one with a grudge against anyone who outranks him.
This is a fascinating play exploring the battle of the sexes, class, religion and psychology. Its uninterrupted 90 minutes provide plenty of taut psychological drama. Julie’s changes in mood are not always easy to follow or understand, but this seems to be a weakness of the play rather than of the acting. Jean is easier to relate to, with elements of his character perhaps being autobiographical. Cary Crankson inhabits the role of Jean wonderfully and I particularly enjoyed Leonie Hill in her comic and manic moments. Kate Sawyer is also excellent as Kristin, providing a much needed moral centre for the play.
Miss Julie is the third and last of the Faction Theatre Cos Rep season at The New Diorama Theatre. It is on until Saturday 18 February