Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Saturday, February 1

Women, Beware the Devil – Almeida Theatre

‘Women, Beware the Devil’ is a brand-new play by Lulu Raczka, and directed by Rupert Goold that manages to both dazzle and confound in equal measures. It takes place in 17th century England during a time of political turmoil and witch hunts and features a cast of strange and unconventional characters. At the start of the play, the devil himself (Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea) acts as the master of ceremonies, welcoming the audience and guiding them into the intricate and somewhat confusing plotline of the De Clare family.

Lady Elizabeth De Clare (Lydia Leonard) is hatching a scheme to cling on to the luxurious family home. She has schemed to arrange a marriage of convenience between her brother Edward (Leo Bill) and Katherine (Ioanna Kimbook), the wealthy daughter of a shipbuilder, in the hope that they will produce an heir. However, Edward has other ideas and is fulfilling his sexual desires elsewhere. In an act of desperation, fearing she is about to lose the house, Elizabeth enlists the help of stable girl Agnes (Alison Oliver), rumoured amongst locals to be a witch. Elizabeth manipulates Agnes into uses her dark art to change her brother’s mind, with disastrous consequences for all involved.

Photo: Marc Brenner

The piece has many surreal and intertwined elements including revenge, witchcraft, Faustian pacts, kinky bedroom shenanigans, incest, and pregnancy combined with themes around class, gender, and religious power. However, it is all too underdeveloped, and as a result the story and dialogue are over complicated and ridiculous. That said, the performers are all superb, Oliver’s maniacal Agnes and Leonard’s dastardly Lady Elizabeth are the standout performances of the play, with Bill characterising the repulsive brother Edward perfectly, and the supporting cast all holding their own amongst the chaos. The epic set and costumes designed by Miriam Buether and Evie Gurney, respectively, are also a delicious feast for the eyes. Drawing on the style of Dutch painting, with black gothic canvas at the back of the stage, with stunning and extravagant scenery at the front, creating a simultaneous atmosphere of opulence, surrealism, and beauty. The gothic visual elements are further brought to life by Tim Lutkin’s amazing lighting.

However, whilst the piece is both bold and brave, and whilst the performers manage to carry the script through to the end, it feels entirely too risky and is likely to generate polarising views from audiences and critics alike. Throughout, it feels way too complicated and unwieldy, leaving a sense of satisfaction, but also confusion in the auditorium… Is this play brilliant… or is it just a brilliant mess?

The play runs at the Almeida Theatre, London until 25th March 2023. Tickets can be purchased here: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/women-beware-the-devil

Reviewer: Alan Stuart Malin

Reviewed: 23rd February 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★

0Shares