Arts:Blog

Theatre Review: Anna Karenina ****

Yvonne Paterson reviews 'a wonderful, thought-provoking' production.

The collaboration of director Polina Kalinina and writer Lesley Hart’s adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s novel Anna Karenina is fast paced, bold, earthy and—although based on a 19th century Russian novel—has a contemporary and Scottish feel that is completely relatable in the here and now.

The cast are fantastic, embracing the text (with its Scottish humour and language) and the complex tale. Lindsay Campbell is captivating as Anna, her emotions taking you on a journey of love, lust and loss. Robert Acodoto is charismatic in the role of Anna’s lover Vronsky, and Stephen Mccole as Karenin is engaging to watch. Tallulah Greive’s Kitty and Jamie Marie Leary’s Dolly are brilliant, as are Angus Miller in the role as Stiva and Ray Sesay in the role as Levin.

Emma Bailey’s set is minimalistic yet striking - the large metal screw-entwined chandelier looms over its players, echoing how intertwined their stories and lives are, while Xana’s sound design feels mechanical and serves as a reminder of how cold and methodical it is for Anna to be trapped in a loveless marriage that lacks passion and warmth.

This is a production that draws its audience in. It might have started out as a dare between two creatives, but it has paid off: this Anna Karenina is a wonderful, thought-provoking piece of theatre that will make you laugh, shudder and question whether love is worth the heartache and destruction it brings.

Anna Karenina is performing at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh until June 3^rd, 2023.