Spanish Oranges: A Searing Exploration of Celebrity and Scandal
In Spanish Oranges, the debut play by novelist Alba Arikha, audiences are treated to a gripping psychodrama that delves into the toxic intersection of fame and infamy. This compelling production, tightly directed by Myriam Cyr, examines the cancellation of a renowned male actor due to a sex scandal and the devastating fallout for his family. The narrative masterfully portrays how decent women endure and perpetuate flawed relationships with astonishing patience until a breaking point is reached.
Plot and Character Dynamics
The story centres on Fiona, a novelist on the verge of fame with her new book, who finds herself overshadowing her husband, Peter, as his acting career collapses and his reputation plummets. Peter, the "famous actor," faces cancellation for inappropriate behaviour, including threats towards Fiona. The tension escalates during a newspaper interview with a critic from The Times, becoming a battleground between secrecy and candour, ego and self-protection, in the bitter wake of betrayal and emotional sabotage.
Arikha introduces a truly surprising plot twist that detonates emotional bombs within the relationship, blending comic and shocking effects. Jay Villiers delivers a superb performance as Peter, capturing the character's electrifying shiftiness and intensity, oscillating between thunderous threats and wheedling neediness. Maryam D’Abo, breaking free from her typecast as a former Bond girl in Skyfall, portrays Fiona with nuance and effectiveness, embodying both victim and victor in domestic conflicts.
Family Impact and Thematic Depth
The shame and secrecy of sexual betrayal infect both parents as their daughter, in her early twenties, returns home to grapple with the consequences of their distrustful and degenerate behaviour. Arianna Branca, daughter of the playwright, makes a confident stage debut, portraying the daughter with a refreshing presence that highlights the debilitating effects of turning a blind eye to Peter's selfish philandering.
Following the brilliant plot twist, the play relies on taut dialogue and marital sparring, with Arikha nodding to classics like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Ingmar Bergman's Scenes from a Marriage. These references underscore the dissection of dysfunctional family relationships and how past actions can wreck the future. Peter's harsh temper and lack of awareness, fuelled by his fame and sense of entitlement, contrast sharply with Fiona's resilience.
Symbolism and Conclusion
The title, Spanish Oranges, refers to Fiona's inspiration for her novel, sparked by an encounter with an Uber driver who dreams of travelling to Seville to see oranges grow. This delightful aspiration serves as a poignant contrast to the pervasive bad behaviour, enriching the narrative's emotional landscape. Ultimately, this mightily enjoyable play offers a searing study of celebrity marriage upended by scandal, running at The Playground Theatre in London until 7 March.
