The Deep Blue Sea (WYP, 08/03/11)

Our first of 7 booked visits to the WYP this year coincided with their 21st birthday, so ticket prices were the same as they were in 1990, which meant we saw The Deep Blue Sea for about a fiver. I didn't know anything of the play other than it starred Maxine Peake (who we're currently enjoying in Silk) and would be cheap on this night. 

It turns out that the play is about a woman who at the beginning has failed to kill herself, seemingly because she's so miserable, yet she's loved by her estranged husband, her new boyfriend, and she loves them both too. To be perfectly honest, I thought the character needed a good slap. Peake played the lead well and with a slight sympathetic air, but I think she was let down by the writing which never really explained what was so bad in her life that would drive her to kill herself. 

There were a couple of good characters, the German physician from upstairs being the best, and he had some amusing lines too in a play that leant more towards the (melo)dramatic. Despite the strong performances from the 8 strong cast, I must say that I'm glad the tickets were cheap as The Deep Blue Sea (she's caught between it and the Devil apparently) didn't float my boat.