Theater: Embers

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'Embers' is a play that explores themes of love, friendship and betrayal. This might just put you off the play thinking that it might be similar to the thousands of other dramas that are staged day in and day out, but rest assured Embers is different. Set amidst, war torn Europe in 1940, in a Hungarian castle, where Henrik, a retired general waits for a friend who he has not seen for decades. The catalyst of the play is a key event that was critical in the lives of the protagonists. The friends, Konrad had abruptly deserted a hunting party, he was on with lifelong friend Herrick. The following day he fled Vienna. The intervening years have left many questions unanswered for Henrick and neither have they dulled his memory of the day. This forms the crux of the story. I hope this has got you interested, because this is a play worth watching. To say that you will be satisfied will be an understatement. It will hook you and deliver a knock out performance that is full of deep insight. So please, get your hands on the tickets now. It's playing at a theatre near you.

Oscar and Tony award-winning actor Jeremy Irons stars in the role of 'Henrik', Jean Boht as 'Nini', and Patrick Malahide as 'Konrad' in this major production of 'Embers'. The play is propped up by a career best performance by Irons whose performance is subtle, magnificently austere and is full of gracious, imperious dignity and ferociously controlled emotion. A major portion of the play is a series of speeches by him and the audiences are subject to virtuoso performance by a great actor. He is unostentatious, but at the same time beautifully and ruthlessly eloquent.

The play is based closely on a novel by Sandor Marai, which comes alive under Michael Blakemore's delicate, but steely and lucid production giving it a sense of tragedy that is both monumental and fragile. The play essentially deals in feeling and not in fact, with there being something oddly compelling about the protagonists desire to understand his friend and his wife. Embers, does not degenerate into a blazing drama but quietly enlightens the dark mystery of male friendship.

Whenever any good novel is adapted for stage, there is a sense of expectation among theatre lovers about its ability to leave the same kind of impact, and the belief that the play won't lose it moral message if any. This play adapted by Christopher Hampton does not disappoint on any count and the audiences are treated to an on stage adaptation that remains true to ethos of the book.

Moreover, the play is held together by some stellar performances by its lead actors, which is reason enough to watch this play. The underlying theme for this high drama is expectation. And the play carries this theme with rare ability. Ability derived from the overall production, which leaves little to chance. Theatre enthusiasts won't be disappointed by this play that makes the audience go through the same range of emotions as the lead characters. This is after all why; you go to see a play. So don't waste time and get your tickets now.