Franz & Marie – Charing Cross Theatre
Franz & Marie is a tragic love story set in 19th-century Europe, where men are stationed on the front line and life is shaped by war, poverty and violence. At its heart is the relationship between Franz Woyzeck, played by Brenock O’Connor, and Marie, played by Jade Oswald, who have recently welcomed a newborn baby.
Desperate to leave the front line and build a life with Marie and their child, Franz turns to medical experiments conducted by doctors to earn extra money. O’Connor is exceptional, portraying Franz as a vulnerable and increasingly traumatised man subjected to ludicrous experiments, including being forced to eat nothing but peas. As the production progresses, we see the psychological impact of war take its toll, with Franz’s mental health deteriorating before our eyes....