Acting lifts Miss Julie above technical hitches

Miss Julie, B2 Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until July 10.

By Margaret Mather

Set in the 1940s, Miss Julie depicts the struggle in Hong Kong between class and gender.

It was strange to see the inclusion of a mask to protect from bubonic plague considering today’s pandemic.

Miss Julie (Sophie Robinson) gives a strong performance as she teases and flirts with her father’s chauffer Jon (Leo Wan) throughout the eve of the Chinese New Year festivities.

Jon blows hot and cold about everything from the war, to women in general until fuelled by drink stolen from his employer he rescues Miss Julie from revellers and goes with her to her bedroom.

The couple come back on stage dressed in dragon costumes and give a magical performance of an erotic dance which represents scenes of a sexual nature.

Meanwhile, Christine(Jennifer Leong) a trusted servant and newly engaged to Jon busies herself looking after and trying to help her master’s ailing dog and pops in and out of the play to try and calm the situation developing between Miss Julie and Jon.

The acoustics weren’t great and sometimes I struggled to hear what was being said however the acting was superb by all three actors and Sophie Robinson’s last scene was a realistic masterpiece in acting.

The play is a credible adaptation by Amy Ng of August Strindberg’s original play presented by New Earth Theatre and Storyhouse.