Paul Monkhouse
One of the most touching and intimate plays of the 20th Century is deftly brought to life in this superb production. In Terence McNally’s earthy comedy Frankie is a scared New York diner waitress who works with the intense Johnny, a cook. These two people disappointed by life, both lonely in the big city, share a night of passion that reveals so much more than either would have guessed. You almost feel a voyeuristic onlooker as you watch these two people desperately clinging to their own sense of individuality and self worth as much as each other.
Here in Frankie’s apartment (a wonderful set) our two lost souls appear trapped as they look out over the lights of The Big Apple, pacing around its main room like lions in a cage. Outside those four walls is a landscape of alienation and brutality, which makes their clinging to any connection they find even more poignant. When the beauty of Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ floats out over the airwaves from their radio Frankie and Johnny are both captivated and transported by the music, opening a whole new world of possibility and hope to them. These are characters that, by the end of the play, we’ve grown with and care about.
But what is a play without great actors to put across the heart and soul of its author? The star power of Hollywood illuminates the stage as Kelly McGillis and Rolf Saxon show that they shine just as much at the theatre as they do on the silver screen. This transition from cinema to stage is not always a success, the occasional feeling that certain actors are shoehorned into roles to provide a ‘star name’ above the marquee rather than because they suit the role. This certainly wasn’t the case here though as both actors truly brought the characters to life and brought real depth and resonance to them with very naturalistic performances. Praise must also go to Michael Lunney for his terrific direction.
To give away too much of the plot would spoil the sheer pleasure of their stories unfolding in front of us. Just go and see without doubt one the finest, best written and well acted productions you’ll see this year.
‘Frankie & Johnnie’ runs until this coming Saturday (the 27th)