Re-review: Escaped Alone, Royal Court


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"I’m walking down the street and there’s a door in the fence open and inside there are three women I’ve seen before"

There's something delicious about seeing the Caryl Churchill's Escaped Alone return to the Royal Court before heading out to New York and then a UK tour. It's also testament to James MacDonald's production that the quartet of actors who originated their parts have all returned - Linda Bassett, Deborah Findlay, Kika Markham and June Watson, marvels every one.

I ranked the play as the fourth best thing that I saw last year and though I don't always like to go back to things I enjoyed (in case it sullies the memory), I wanted to treat myself to this again. And I'm glad I did, for the layered complexity of Churchill's writing allows for re-appreciation and indeed re-interpretation. My original review holds true but given the way the world has lurched closer to apocalypse (literally so, apparently), the play's contrast between Doomsday and the domestic feels ever more poignant and pertinent.

Running time: 50 minutes (without interval)
Booking until 11th February, then touring 15 – 26 Feb BAM, New York; 7 – 11 March The Lowry, Salford; 14- 18 March Cambridge Arts Theatre; 22 – 26 March Bristol Old Vic

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