Theatre Review: Evening All Afternoon at Donmar Warehouse
Anna Ziegler's new play, Evening All Afternoon, takes its title from Wallace Stevens's poem Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, a work that explores shifting perspectives and how context can alter meaning. This production, currently running at the Donmar Warehouse, delves into themes of grief, loss, and the challenging quest for connection across generational and cultural divides.
A Story of Late Love and Family Tensions
The narrative centers on Jennifer, portrayed by Anastasia Hille, who finds love later in life and marries John. However, her newfound happiness is complicated by the presence of Delilah, John's daughter from a previous marriage. Erin Kellyman makes an assured stage debut as Delilah, a prickly and outspoken American in her early twenties who is still mourning her Jamaican-born mother.
Jennifer, self-effacing and eager to build a relationship with her stepdaughter, discovers that they are poles apart. Through subtle storytelling, we learn that Jennifer's past involved caring for a manipulative mother, which eventually forced her to develop a steelier side. This background adds depth to her character as she navigates the turbulent dynamics with Delilah.
Unfolding Conflicts and Shared Struggles
The plot thickens as Jennifer covertly reads Delilah's emails, uncovering her struggles with a predatory lecturer and the risk of failing her university course. Delilah eventually drops out and moves in with Jennifer just before the Covid lockdown, setting the stage for heightened tensions. When Delilah begins quietly appropriating Jennifer's personal possessions, their conflicts inevitably come to a head.
Evening All Afternoon is described as a slow burn with a predictable conclusion, yet it effectively portrays how the two women begin to discover common ground. Diyan Zora's staging is deliberately understated, utilizing Basia Bińkowska's pared-back revolving set to emphasize the emotional weight of the story.
Production Elements and Thematic Impact
While the production is generally cohesive, some elements, such as the fizzing bare light bulb representing the ghost of Delilah's late mother and the shadow play, feel jarring and at odds with the otherwise subtle staging. Despite this, Ziegler's play follows a well-trodden path with sincerity and emotional resonance.
The two-hander is well-acted, with Hille and Kellyman delivering powerful performances that bring the themes of grief, loss, and the struggle for connection to life. Their portrayal of the generational and cultural divides adds a layer of authenticity that makes the play affecting and thought-provoking.
Evening All Afternoon runs at the Donmar Warehouse until April 11, offering audiences a poignant exploration of human relationships in the face of adversity.
