It is the mid-1920s, Scotland, and the General Strike is in full swing. On a stifling Midsummer's evening - while the protest explodes into dancing outside - Miss Julie, the Laird's daughter, and John, the Laird's manservant, reach out to each other. Set alight by the promise of revolution escalating outside, the pair grasp at the possibility of a different life until only one desperate choice remains.
The script is punchy and contemporary; the conflict at the heart of the work is conveyed in short sharp phrases bolstered by volleys of swearing from the protagonists.
Features three strong and intriguing performances.
The production is at its most powerful in the highly charged scene leading up to the seduction. The second half fallout is a little too reliant on black humour that only occasionally hits the nail on the head about the profound ambivalence of the characters.
A fascinating and refreshing angle.
A disappointing missed opportunity.
One of the performance’s greatest skills is how it can throw a barrage of metaphors at the audience, loving and hateful in their turn, and yet you can believe every single one of them. It is this that makes Miss Julie a performance you will not want to miss.
Zinnie Harris adaptation has some tense moments.
Zinnie Harris’ adaptation shifts the play perfectly into its new setting and Shilpa T-Hyland’s direction makes it feel like it has always belonged in Scotland.
Unfortunately, despite many fine but fleeting moments, [director Shilpa T-Hyland] fails to reach the audience who applauded politely but, I suspect, left disappointed that the clouds of revolution described at the start as “just about ready to go” rumbled but failed to roar.
Shilpa T-Hyland on making a Miss Julie for the #MeToo generation.
Shilpa T-Hyland--Directing Miss Julie
Perth Theatre, Perth from Thursday February 14, 2019, until Saturday February 23, 2019. More info: www.horsecross.co.uk
Tron Theatre, Glasgow from Wednesday February 27, 2019, until Saturday March 2, 2019. More info: www.tron.co.uk
The Studio, Edinburgh from Wednesday March 6, 2019, until Saturday March 9, 2019.