The second half is set during the Christmas before George W Bush’s inauguration. Julie’s husband Ben (Daniel Abelson) has died years ago and a sense of decline hangs in the air. The apartment is shabbier now, with leaky ceilings, and Julie’s money woes are symbolised by a static, dimly-lit room. In the corner a puny Christmas tree, a shadow of the centre stage fir of 20 years ago, is braced for the desultory decorations Faye and Jeff will inflict upon it. Widowed Faye is thriving, in blow-out blonde hair, cream suit and designer bag, surprised to find herself missing marriage to blunt Mort (David Kennedy) – “we were never Tevye and Golde.”
As Faye and Jeff hatch plans to maintain the now more fragile Julie as the centre of their solar system, Julie’s insight into her son’s “meshuggah girlfriends” and intergenerational parental expectations opens up a new chapter – less Great Expectations and more kosher Christmas Carol. It’s a suitable ending to this heartfelt and pacy production.
By Susan Gray
Photos by Helen Murray
The Assembled Parties runs until Saturday 22 November. 7.30pm (Mon, Wed & Thu only), 2.30pm (Sat only). From £25. Hampstead Theatre, London, NW3 3EU. hampsteadtheatre.com
Source link
