The Lover

An exotic tale of remembered passion.
“Very early in my life it was too late.”
In 1984 the great French novelist Marguerite Duras wrote the story of her own youth in Vietnam, a personal truth told in passionate, vivid fragments. These incandescent glimpses of remembrance became one of the most acclaimed and widely read books of modern French literature.
Now three of Scotland’s major performing arts companies are collaborating in theatre and dance to bring her story to the stage; taking us back to 1929 when a fifteen year old girl crossing the Mekong Delta first catches the attention of an older Chinese man and accepts a ride in his chauffeured limousine. She has no idea how this chance meeting will change her life forever.
50 years on, looking back on their illicit affair which flared and died, she finds the intensity of her first love still burning bright in her memory. It illuminates a past fraught with the confusions of the lovers’ ruthless desire, her own dysfunctional family and the divisive colonial culture which pulled them all apart.
This unique collaboration between ourselves, The Royal Lyceum Theatre and Scottish Dance Theatre brings this exotic tale of remembered passion to new life in an original stage adaption by our own award-winning director Jemima Levick and visionary choreographer Fleur Darkin.
Fusing spoken word, music and evocative dance, this production promises to be an irresistible blast of sensual heat for the dark days of January.
What the audience are saying about The Lover
Watch Fleur Darkin & Jemima Levick discuss their process for adapting Duras’ books for the stage.
Gallery
[AFG_gallery id='33']Images © Mihaela Bodlovic
Reviews
"a haunting theatrical experience.
"nuanced combination of dance and theatre
"delicious concoction that goes beyond words to create something infinitely more sensual.
"the depth and feeling brought to Duras’ story come across as truly important and beautifully handled.
"Amy Hollinshead as The Girl is perfectly cast here and has an almost ethereal quality in her performance as she for the most part dances this role.
"The Lover is a fearless display of erotica; a gorgeous fusion of uninhibited dance and drama that is a visual and sensuous delight.
"the story is beautifully told, and follows such a clear arc highlighted by the sparse set design, understated lighting, simple but perfect costumes and the sheer brilliance of all of the performers, that it would be simply greedy to ask for more. Having said that, I could watch this again in an instant.
"sensually erotic
"Susan Vidler gives an incredible performance as the Woman, showcasing her characters strength and the intimacy of the story.
Blog
- February 22, 2018Meet Laura Laria – Lighting Design Placement for The Lover
- February 4, 2018Zakia Fawcett shares her insight to working on The Lover
- January 17, 2018Scotsman preview – Fleur Darkin & Jemima Levick on blending theatre & dance in their production of The Lover
- January 14, 2018Stephen McGinty, Sunday Times, chats to Fleur Darkin & Jemima Levick in rehearsal
- January 10, 2018Neil Cooper of The Herald meets Jemima Levick & Fleur Darkin in rehearsal
- September 29, 2017Audition opportunity with Stellar Quines, Scottish Dance Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre
- April 27, 2017Exciting new collaboration announced as part of The Lyceum season launch

