Review: “Brief Encounter” is a Fusion of Film and Play Production with Twist of Multimedia

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Noël Coward’s  ”Brief Encounter” makes its Los Angeles premiere at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in the heart of Beverly Hills.

This production has been showcased over the years as an adaptation from Noël Coward’s 1936 play “Still Life” in conjunction with the 1945 film Brief Encounter.

Emma Rice, the play’s director, discusses the use of multimedia to enhance this enticing love story:

“In this new production, the ingenious international theatre company Kneehigh cleverly uses film and music to provide a highly theatrical setting for this classical, timeless tale of illicit lovers,” says Rice.

“Brief Encounter” is a story of two married couples that experience a forbidden desire after meeting in a train station tearoom. This show is absolutely captivating and engaging from the moment you enter the theater you are transported in time to the 1930’s with the sweet melodies of a live band and cast that instantly take you into the story. With musical numbers and film projections this small intimate cast of only eight actors seamlessly and effortlessly take you from one scene to the next. A theatrical performance with no intermission keeps you captivated and engaged the whole time.

Definitely a show that is more adult-geared with scenes that are drama filled and sexual. Emotionally this show takes you on a roller-coaster with our lead actors as they go thru their affair of “tender agony.” A show that really makes you look at life through a different lens and “see how we bargain our own needs, the needs of the self, for various reasons.” We see how the main Actors Laura and Alec are “people trapped by the bargains that they have freely made-they have bargained their inner lives for stability, family, and love.” Director Emma Rice really does an amazing job at captivating Noël Coward’s play and making us question and imagine, “Can many of us go through a lifetime without meeting someone and feeling a spark of recognition that we shouldn’t, an attraction that goes beyond the physical.”
In Short, this amazing show is well-worth the ticket price, and will definitely have you looking at your everyday “Brief encounters” in a different way. A great show to go to, whether you’re alone, with friends, or your other half.

“Brief Encounter” is Directed by Emma Rice and its cast include Damon Daunno, Annette McLaughlin, Dorothy Atkinson, Hannah Yelland, Jim Sturgeon, Joe Alessi, David Brown, and James Gow. Playing at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with shows available Tuesday through Sunday at various times.

For more information, visit www.thewallis.org.

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