Belleville – Red Stitch

Overview

Somewhere in Paris a marriage is unfolding. Portraying a nuanced and gripping relationship within the confines of a particularly ordinary Parisian apartment, this Red Stitch production simmers with guilt, betrayal and regret.

Written by Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright Amy Herzog (After the Revolution, 4000 Miles), Belleville tells the story of Abby and Zach — American expats who have made the move to Paris to follow their increasingly disconnected dreams. In the space of a day, their marriage tips from domestically dysfunctional to intoxicatingly brutal. The shift is so subtle that we barely notice until it erupts in our face, despite the hints along the way. This subtlety is a testament to brilliant writing by Herzog as well as the well-paced performances by Red Stitch actors.

It’s a chilly December, and Zach and Abby are approaching their "first grown up Christmas" overseas, away from family. Abby comes home to find Zach who, believing he was home alone, is at his computer "not checking emails". The awkwardness that ensues suggests a marriage not equipped to handle a relatively harmless indiscretion. As Zach proceeds to try and make up for the morning’s activities, Abby chats obsessively to their landlord Alioune about their wedding, her family and life in Paris. We discover, unbeknownst to Abby, that Zach has been mishandling their finances among other secrets. So begins his downward spiral, unfortunately taking Abby with him.

Directed by Denny Lawrence, Belleville features outstanding performances by Christina O’Neill as Abby, and Paul Ashcroft as Zach. O’Neill is perfect as the nervous, anxiety-ridden wife. Her performance flawlessly shifts from a somewhat irritating and seemingly self-involved yoga instructor to a woman crippled by circumstance. Meanwhile Ashcroft’s impetuous character swings terrifyingly between endearing and pathological.

The direction is understated and genuine, while the Americanisms of both characters are playful and faultless. Tariro Mavondo and Renaud Momtbrun are Alioune and Amina, the French-Senegalese landlords of the property. Their quiet performances providing much-needed contrast to the abrasive Americans and their destructive relationship that exists in the apartment next door.

Despite a slow beginning (but one with a justified purpose), this is by no means a gentle play. The intimacy of the set and the theatre itself means we are cocooned with them, unable to escape. Belleville is superbly crafted from beginning to end.

Image credit: Jodie Hutchinson.