Guardian preview for Far Away...
24 May 2010
It takes less than an hour to conjure up the end of the world in Far Away, a play that as one critic opined on its Royal Court premiere in 2000 "exemplifies the modernist principle that the most devastating news is best delivered briefly and in a whisper". Caryl Churchill's play offers what initially might appear to be a fairytale, but swiftly turns to nightmare as it becomes apparent that the world she is depicting, in which children visit appalling acts of violence, resembles our own if democracy gave way to totalitarianism. Fast, funny, furious and terrifying, Churchill's bleak vision was given a remarkable premiere by Stephen Daldry. Here, rising director Simon Godwin shouldn't be defeated by it. Audiences, however, may be in need of some comfort, so the Old Vic has lined up big names such as Jon Snow, Jonathon Porritt and Max Stafford-Clark to lead post-show talks.Lyn Gardner
