A blistering new production of August Strindberg's Creditors has electrified the stage at Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre, boasting a trio of theatrical titans that delivers a masterclass in psychological tension.
Led by the formidable Charles Dance, the cast—which includes the superb Geraldine James and Nicholas Farrell—peels back the layers of Strindberg's 1888 play with devastating precision, revealing a timeless and savage study of manipulation, revenge, and the complexities of love.
A Triumph of Casting and Direction
Dance commands the stage as the cunning and cerebral Gustav, a man who meticulously orchestrates the emotional undoing of a former love rival. His performance is a chilling portrait of intellectual malice, delivered with a cool, calculating restraint that makes his character's cruelty all the more potent.
Opposite him, Nicholas Farrell is profoundly moving as the insecure and gullible artist, Adolf. Farrell masterfully captures a man crumbling under the weight of another's poisonous suggestions, his vulnerability laid painfully bare.
Completing the triangle, Geraldine James is magnificent as Tekla, the charismatic writer caught between the two men. James brings a captivating energy and complexity to the role, ensuring Tekla is far more than just a pawn in their game.
An Intimate Setting for a Psychological Thriller
The famed in-the-round setting of the Orange Tree Theatre proves to be the perfect arena for this intimate battle of wits. There is nowhere for the actors—or the audience—to hide, creating an atmosphere of intense claustrophobia that amplifies the play's unsettling power.
Director Jessica Lazar expertly harnesses this energy, guiding the performances to ensure Strindberg's darkly comic and brutally honest dialogue lands with full force, holding the audience in a state of rapt, and at times uncomfortably tense, attention.
A Must-See Theatrical Event
This production is more than a revival; it is a revelation. It confirms Creditors not as a dusty period piece, but as a shockingly modern and insightful exploration of the human psyche. The combined prowess of its legendary cast makes for an unmissable evening of theatre.
For those seeking a sophisticated, intelligent, and utterly gripping night out, this Creditors is essential viewing. It is a stark reminder of why Strindberg remains a giant of theatre and a testament to the enduring power of a truly great performance.
