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A review by arianappstrg
The Love of the Nightingale by Timberlake Wertenbaker
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
4,75: This play left me thinking, what is worse? Keeping silent or speaking up? It also left me needing therapy.
The Dramatic Publishing Company edition of this play (not sure if there are any other editions come to think of it) includes Wertenbaker's definition of myth in the blurb. She defines myth as 'the oblique image of an unwanted truth reverberating through time'. If you want a super short, enigmatic summary of this play, this is it. Wertenbaker makes us question the function of myth through time, in society, in literature, and on stage and shows us the power and significance of using one's voice to call out injustice and crime even when the odds are against us. The Love of the Nightingale is a very strong play that does not shy away from ugly truths, with strong themes, strong female characters, and an ending that makes your blood run cold.
Wertenbaker reworks the myth of Philomela, as told by Ovid, in a way that gives voice to women's genuine concerns, desires, and aspirations and in a way that empowers them to seek justice without being villainized in the process. Although the radical feminist interpretation of the end of the play is highly debatable, as is my understanding, no one can deny that it is powerful and that it leaves you breathless. I'm not entirely confident in supporting this reading which, summarized, conveys that the results of ending male dominance through literal physical violence are hope, transformation, and peace. If you read this in a naturalistic way, you'll soon understand that it is not as simple as that and that ethics are on the line but if you read it as a symbolic act of freeing oneself from the clutches of patriarchy and regaining control over one's life then it is really a powerful ending with a strong message.
The 4,75 rating has nothing to do with the text itself. The text itself is magnificent. But, personally, I cannot bring myself to judge a play based on the text alone so would like to wait for the opportunity to see it performed, if such opportunity ever comes my way :) That is to say, I mark this review as a work in progress :)
The Dramatic Publishing Company edition of this play (not sure if there are any other editions come to think of it) includes Wertenbaker's definition of myth in the blurb. She defines myth as 'the oblique image of an unwanted truth reverberating through time'. If you want a super short, enigmatic summary of this play, this is it. Wertenbaker makes us question the function of myth through time, in society, in literature, and on stage and shows us the power and significance of using one's voice to call out injustice and crime even when the odds are against us. The Love of the Nightingale is a very strong play that does not shy away from ugly truths, with strong themes, strong female characters, and an ending that makes your blood run cold.
Wertenbaker reworks the myth of Philomela, as told by Ovid, in a way that gives voice to women's genuine concerns, desires, and aspirations and in a way that empowers them to seek justice without being villainized in the process. Although the radical feminist interpretation of the end of the play is highly debatable, as is my understanding, no one can deny that it is powerful and that it leaves you breathless. I'm not entirely confident in supporting this reading which, summarized, conveys that the results of ending male dominance through literal physical violence are hope, transformation, and peace. If you read this in a naturalistic way, you'll soon understand that it is not as simple as that and that ethics are on the line but if you read it as a symbolic act of freeing oneself from the clutches of patriarchy and regaining control over one's life then it is really a powerful ending with a strong message.
The 4,75 rating has nothing to do with the text itself. The text itself is magnificent. But, personally, I cannot bring myself to judge a play based on the text alone so would like to wait for the opportunity to see it performed, if such opportunity ever comes my way :) That is to say, I mark this review as a work in progress :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Blood
A little disclaimer: While 'rape', 'sexual assault' and 'sexual violence' have been rated as minor they are still quite central to the plot and the character development. I thought it was more appropriate to put them in the 'minor' category because they take place either off stage or in the stage directions. However, if you were to see this play performed there would be nothing 'minor' about any of the content warnings. This is a brutal play that deals with very delicate issues and even if you don't actually get a very descriptive stage direction of rape you can feel and imagine it just as vividly. I would also like to add another warning for 'mutilation' as I didn't see it listed among the warnings. The 'emotional abuse' and 'misogyny' warnings are in the 'graphic' category because they permeate the dialogue (not so much the chorus) like crazy.