I first read and fell in love with Maggie Nelson’s Bluets, nine years ago. I've revisited it multiple times since, each reading revealing new layers of meaning. Given the personal impact this book has had on me, separating my subjective experience from an objective review of its stage adaptation is challenging. Nevertheless, I will endeavour to assess this production based on my appreciation and understanding of the book.
Katie Mitchell’s direction is a notable technical achievement, particularly through the use of live camera work and green screens. These elements create a poignant sense of following the protagonist through a lonely city, capturing the detailed nuances of their gaze. The cold tone of the camerawork effectively conveys the protagonist's depression but perhaps does so at the expense of the book's melancholy and hope. The narrative concrete delivery of time, place and action somewhat diminishes the visceral, emotive fire of the protagonist's love.
Margaret Perry’s adaptation cleverly mirrors Maggie Nelson’s fragmented thoughts by having the cast complete each other’s sentences. While this fragmented monologue effectively unifies the three-part cast into a single entity, it sacrifices pace and the distinct tonal shifts present in the book.
Emma D’Arcy, Kayla Meikle, and Ben Whishaw deliver magnetic performances, their synergy palpable in every glance and poignant line. However, their performances are often hindered by the demands of live camera actions, which disrupt the flow of emotive delivery.
Adapting a book with such profound depth to the stage is a formidable challenge. Mitchell’s bold imagination captures many intriguing and important aspects of Bluets, but it does so at the cost of fully conveying the story's heart and hope.
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