AMY STUTZ
  • Theatre
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Features
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
  • Theatre
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
4K Followers
0 Followers
Subscribe
AMY STUTZ
AMY STUTZ
  • Theatre
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Features
  • Travel
  • About
  • Published Work
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Rotterdam | UK Tour

  • 23rd April 2019
  • No comments
  • 2 minute read
  • Amy
Bethan Cullinane as Alice and Lucy Jane Parkinson as Fiona/Adrian in Rotterdam
Bethan Cullinane as Alice and Lucy Jane Parkinson as Fiona/Adrian in Rotterdam
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

After winning the Olivier award back in 2017, Jon Brittain’s Rotterdam is a striking production that looks at gender in an intimate, honest and thought-provoking way.

We meet Alice, a young woman struggling to come out to her parents and her girlfriend Fiona who admits to Alice that she has always identified as a man and wants to continue her life as Adrian. Tackling the mental conflict of being transgender and coming to terms with transitioning and the strains it has on their relationship. 

It’s an LGBT+ story that tells an fascinating story. With the rise of programmes like the hugely successful Pose on BBC, transgender stories are starting to be told and this representation is incredibly important. Rotterdam tells this story in a really contemporary and compelling way that tackles the themes head on with a multitude of emotions, humour and authenticity.

The complexity of the characters is all wrapped into a production carved with brilliant humour and emotions that resonate. Theatre is made to entertain and to inform and Jon Brittain’s play does that beautifully as it opens your eyes to different perspectives. Lucy Jane Parkinson gives a masterclass performance in role of Fiona/Adrian. She is honest, raw and delicate in her portrayal as she gives a really moving performance. Particular moments like when she is seen as a man for the first time, or a breakdown she suffers when she feels conflicted with her identity, these highs and lows of emotions are displayed in a really human way.

Bethan Cullinane as Alice and Lucy Jane Parkinson as Fiona/Adrian in Rotterdam
Bethan Cullinane as Alice and Lucy Jane Parkinson as Fiona/Adrian in Rotterdam

Opposite her as Alice, Bethan Cullinane is endearing as the young woman trying to be patient and understanding who is grieving for her girlfriend and learning to love Adrian. Cullinane is a sublime actor and her comedy timing is gold, she is witty and sarcastic but warm and caring and you really feel for her throughout the production. 

The small cast of four really command the stage. Elijah W Harris is terrific as Fiona/Adrian’s brother who acts as the mediator throughout the story. Ellie Morris brings heaps of energy as the party girl Lelani who leads Alice into temptation.  

It’s fantastic to see the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre experimenting with their programming and bringing in a modern and relevant play that will attract new audiences to the theatre. 

Rotterdam is an intimate production that packs a real punch as it takes on the important themes of gender, sexuality and identity in an emotionally charged way that is bound to take your breath away.

On at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until 24 April, tickets and information can be found here.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Amy

Previous Article
Sophie Stanton as Gremia in the RSC's Taming of the Shrew. Photo credit: Ikin Yum
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | The Taming of the Shrew | RSC

  • 22nd April 2019
  • Amy
View Post
Next Article
Adrian Hansel, Renee Lamb, Carly Mercedes Dyer in Ain't Misbehavin. Photo credit: Pamela Raith
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | Ain’t Misbehavin’ | Southwark Playhouse

  • 25th April 2019
  • Amy
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Nostalgia, Smash-Hits and Stardom, Alex Cardall Talks The Osmonds Musical

  • 14th March 2022
  • Amy
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | The Magician’s Elephant | RSC

  • 8th November 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Divina de Campo Talks Taking to the Stage in Chicago the Musical

  • 23rd October 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Summer Strallen Talks Playing A Villain for the First Time in The Magician’s Elephant

  • 18th October 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Reviews
  • Theatre

REVIEW | School of Rock | UK Tour

  • 23rd September 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Sharon Sexton Talks Powerhouse Production Bat Out of Hell the Musical

  • 15th September 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Interviews
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Molly Lynch Talks Love, Life and Learning in The Last Five Years

  • 8th September 2021
  • Amy
View Post
  • Theatre

INTERVIEW | Avita Jay Talks The Comedy of Errors at the RSC this Summer

  • 9th August 2021
  • Amy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Search
about
Amy Stutz
Follow Us
AMY STUTZ
UK Arts, Culture and Theatre Blog

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

 

Loading Comments...