Coline Atterbury is writer and star of this complex one-hour play, I’m Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Too, at Voila! Festival.
When Victoria finds herself struggling with writer’s block and feels neglected by her lawyer boyfriend, Mark (Charlie Coombes-Roberts) she becomes consumed and overwhelmed by obsession with Virginia Woolf.
Inspired by bipolar disorder and mental instability, I’m Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Too contains echoes of Woolf’s life and works (The Waves, Mrs Dalloway, the character of Leon) as well as her physical appearance.
In Victoria’s dual intimacy with Mark and her ex, the academic Leon (Andrew Hawley), there are parallels with Woolf’s relationships with husband Leonard, and lover Vita Sackville-West.
It’s a play about being creative, being lost, and meeting societal expectations. Directot Olamide Candide-Johnson allows the story to grow organically as Victoria’s behaviour subtly alters, seeking out thrills, and misinterpreting ‘signs’.
There’s a thread of gallows humour here with talk of ‘weighing you down’ (Woolf famously drowned after placing a large stone in her pocket). The receipt of a very modern photograph sparks Victoria’s restlessness and eventual collapse.
I also noticed that in Victoria’s library book haul was a volume by Leonard Cohen, a Canadian poet and songwriter known for his themes of mortality, sexuality, and depression.
Atterbury is very good as the creative force who adopts Woolf’s persona as part of her own mania and unpredictability. Hawley and Coombes-Roberts offer different types of support through their characters and performances, as Leon offers escape and Mark a calm security.
I’m Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Too takes its title inspiration from Edward Albee’s celebrated drama of a couple in crisis, Who‘s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? but does not have the same personal plot drive, while flipping the idea of the academic character as succubus.
Despite losing its focus slightly in its second half, this is an intriguing and vibrant work delivered with a committed energy. The packed house at yesterday’s performance was very receptive and appreciative.
I’m giving this 3.5 stars.
I’m Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Too is at Barons Court Theatre as part of the Voila! Festival until 9 Nov with tickets here.
Image credit: Eliza Jane Gilroy