Review: THE LESSON by Eugene Ionesco at Southwark Playhouse (Icarus Theatre Collective) 29 June - 23 July 2022

‘Packs a powerful message with the surprising addition of creative captioning’ ★★★★

First performed in 1951, The Lesson by Romanian French playwright, Eugene Ionesco is considered a classic in the canon of Theatre of the Absurd and carries heavy post-war (existential) themes. An individual lesson by a professor, starting with basic mathematics and moving into philology (the study of language), descends into madness and the pupil’s health deteriorates. Finally, the lesson ends unexpectedly, and the professor’s maid returns with a solution to the problem.

The play is a mainstay at the French ‘Theatre de la Huchette’ where it is performed as part of a double bill regularly. What this UK production provides is something that could likely not have been envisioned by the revered playwright: Creative Captioning. What is immediately striking is that this is not sub- or surtitles like you’ve ever seen. The spoken words are projected as visual text, like animation, with precise timing and variation of size and location. Chalkboards are opened to reveal the lesson planning and used to expound and enlighten using this animated text. This may be intended as captioning for those who need support, but it serves everyone in the audience, as it captures the tonality and mood of the moment and adds moments of humour.

The acting is just as precise. A bright-eyed and eager-to-please pupil (HAZEL CAULFIELD) appears and makes us laugh at her intense drive to learn. The professor’s maid (JULIE STARK) is callous and brusque; she may play a secondary role to the professor and his pupil, but she dominates the stage when she is present. The professor (Jerome Ngonadi) seems discombobulated at times and domineering at others, supportive and treacherous. Ngonadi makes the switch on a hairpin and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat with his incandescent performance.

The precision carries just as well to the sound and lighting, and the beautiful set. The fight scene (directed by Ronin Traynor) requires special mention as it was managed so utterly well and in a tight space. The overall direction and design in this production are thoroughly considered and executed with accuracy and passion.

As a long-time educator, The Lesson rubs against everything I believe about teaching and learning. Yet it has to be said about theatre of the absurd that it isn’t boring and packs a powerful message. Perhaps that is the most poignant lesson of all.

Photographer:  Ikin Yum

THE LESSON by Eugene Ionesco at Southwark Playhouse (Icarus Theatre Collective) 29 June - 23 July 2022

Book: https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-homepage/the-lesson/

Written by Eugene Ionesco

Performed by Hazel Caulfield, Jerome Ngonadi, Julie Stark

Directed by Max Lewendel

Assistant Director: Romane Cayez

Senior Producer: Dylan Franklin

Producers: Isabelle Hayden and Clara Wynne

Set Designer: Christopher Hone

Costume Designer: Isabella Van Brackel

Assistant Costume Designer: Lucy Fowler

Sound Designer: Matt Downing

Lighting Designer: Stevie Carty

Projection Designer: Ben Glover

Fight Director: Ronin Traynor

Stage Managers: Harry Faulkner, David McDade

Icarus Theatre Collective

Reviewed by Mariam Mathew