https://ita.nl/en/shows/weg-met-eddy-bellegueule/1496892/
This was a wonderful event - the combination of a very powerful story and a superbly imaginative theatrical response to it made for a gripping viewing.
The set initially reminded me of a serial killer’s workplace with the acres of heavy duty plastic covering everything, but this soon became something more as material was raised above the stage to form what looked like an ice cave. I suppose it suggested the ‘cave’ where Eddy grew up and out of which he escaped as at the end the edifice was lowered and we were on a blank stage – a pleasing metaphor for the unknown but exciting and positive future which awaited Eddy once he had escaped his upbringing. I think it would be going OTT to make an analogy with Plato’s Cave and experiencing reality outside of it, but it did cross my mind!
There were only 4 performers who played all parts, each playing Eddy at some stage, and they made a wonderful ensemble – talented musicians too as they sang and performed the songs which punctuated the drama, proving a commentary at times, at others an interlude to lead form one moment to another. All were casually dressed, identically towards the end, but each had differently coloured g-fingernails – a neat touch. Some initially, wore clothes that suggested an aspect of Eddy e.g. one had what looked like a cut-off corset top, another a split top, one half a black waistcoat, the other a billowing airy white nylon short-creation – again an effective way to suggest the different aspects that made Eddy who he was. One thing that did not really become apparent to me until towards the end was how young Eddy was for much of what was depicted – it was only at the climax where he found he had gained entry to a performing arts (?) secondary school that made this clear
This was the story not just of one person but a family and a society – and the combination of these different elements was marvellously conveyed in a way that was dramatically effective and not clumsily preachy (except at the very end, of which more later). This balance was very well kept and we were able to sympathise and even empathise with Eddy’s family, even though at times they were monstrous. It gave us a picture of not just Eddy but everyone in that sort of environment, as almost hopelessly trapped in ill-educated poverty. But his way out (obviously and understandably) was via education and a place at the performing arts secondary school.
Much of this work – and I suspect it holds true for the book as much as the play – was about the construction of masculinity. Eddy’s father had a construct which he intended Eddy to fit – and which Eddy, bless him, did try to achieve. The musical ‘number’ I will be a fighter, while being poignant and sad was also very funny. And the picture of his parents was touching; yes, at times they were monstrous but Eddy did love them and, in their way, they him. And the garrulous monologues by mother were great fun with the actor playing her holding just one pose that was absolutely perfect – sort of Bette Davis standing holding a cigarette! Likewise, the scene where the young boys watch a porn film was very funny and sweet as was Eddy’s innocent showing of his parents his innocently enthusiastic mimed performance to a pop song (who was it by…Elton John?) to their baffled fury. To them, as with the society in which he grew up, ‘being normal’ and not drawing attention to yourself was the ne plus ultra of acceptability.
The ending was satisfying – not least as one knows it was true but it did slightly fall into a little bit of sentimental preachiness – but only in a very minor way and in no way enough to spoil this wonderful and uplifting experience.