REVIEW: JULES AND JIM at Jermyn Street Theatre 20 April – 27 May 2023

‘Love and friendship in Bohemian yesteryear’ ★★★★

Jules and Jim are friends. Theirs is a friendship that transcends romantic love for others, jealousy and being on opposing sides of war. Set in the Bohemian world of art and literature in early 20^th century Europe, Jules and Jim is the story of a love triangle. Adapted by Timberlake Wertenbaker from the 1953 novel by Henri-Pierre Roché, (made famous by the 1962 film by François Truffaut), ‘Jules and Jim’ is a study in relationships and how far the conventions and boundaries of love and friendship can be pushed.

Jules, a writer and intellectual, is in love with the idea of love and in search of a “goddess” to call his own. Jim is more down to earth. His is a life of two halves. On the one hand living with his mother and having a long-term relationship, and on the other hand pursing affairs with other women as opportunity allows. Into Jules’ and Jim’s world comes Kath, a free spirit who captures both their hearts.

The casual misogyny of the piece is difficult for modern audiences. The play shows a world where women are mothers or lovers, incapable of being anything other than creatures of emotion, and bored by matters of the intellect. It is a world where men see women as either goddesses or whores. Kath is both: a narcissist whose capriciousness and disloyalty damage the men who love her. It is a world where friendship between men is superior to anything that can be experienced in a romantic relationship with a woman. Yes, well…

In the programme notes, Wertenbaker talks of Kath being a “person in her own right” with “her own authority”. However, what comes across in the character of Kath is someone who is utterly selfish, with complete disregard for the damage she reeks on the people around her, including her own children. Ultimately Kath, Jules and Jim pay a high price for their pursuit of a life of freedom beyond society’s norms.

The cast brought energy and strong ensemble playing to the piece. There was a real warmth and connection between Samuel Collings’ Jules and Alex Mugnaioni’s Jim. Their portrayal of friendship makes you really believe they would share their love for (and put up with) Patricia Allison’s fickle and impulsive Kath.

Isabella Van Braeckel’s set is simple but stunning, with some beautiful surprises that take the breath away.

JULES AND JIM adapted for stage by Timberlake Wertenbaker from a novel by Henri-Pierre Roché, Jermyn Street Theatre, 20 April – 27 May 2023, (production company/any other you wish to mention) http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/

Photographer credit – Steve Gregson



Performers:                     Patricia Allinson, Samuel Collins, Alex Mugnaioni

Director:                          Stella Powell-Jones

Set and costume design:  Isabella Van Braeckel

Lighting design:                Chris McDonnell

Music and sound design:  Holly Khan

Reviewer: Srabani Sen

Srabani is a theatre actress and playwright. As an actress she has performed at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (The Globe), the Arcola, Southwark Playhouse, The Pleasance and numerous fringe theatres, in a range of roles from Shakespeare to plays by new and emerging writers. She has written several short and full length plays. Her play Tawaif was longlisted for the ETPEP Finborough award, and her play Vijaya was shortlisted for the Sultan Padamsee Playwrights Award in Mumbai.