In a cozy theatre in Clapham Common, a timeless production awaits you for a thought provoking journey.
GEORGE is a theatrical masterpiece with illusions of drama, emotions and real-time comedy.
GEORGE is about a revolutionary french author in the 1800s named Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, best know for her pen name George Sand. The play uncovers days in the life of George Sand and her friend/lover, Marie Dorval who motivates George to write again. Several male characters intervene their intimate relationship in the form of obstacles, naysayers and well, a snappy editor.
I arrived on time (luckily) to watch GEORGE at the Omnibus Theatre after panicking about getting off at the wrong stop.
I entered a nearly full theatre which made me smile for Léa des Garets, writer of the play and her team for the growth they’ve had since the first time I saw them at the Criterion in November 2023.
I looked around at all the happy faces and envied the glasses of wine dancing on their fingertips. I was too comfortable to get up and I didn’t want to miss a minute of the show. Too late for that but perfectly ready to watch GEORGE again.
An intriguing background score engulfed the theatre, it excited me because I don’t think they had it the first time I watched the play. And there they were, Léa des Garets as George Sand, Iniki Mariano as Marie Dorval and Conor Dumbrell as all of the male characters back to steal my presence for the next 95 mins, I delightfully surrendered.
I felt a rollercoaster of emotions for George Sand. Léa portrays her as an enigmatic character who seems to be on the same planet as us but isn’t. Drawing parallels to relevant issues in our current world from a period play is something I can talk about endlessly if I wanted to but there’s more to it in my eyes.
As an observer I can say Léa, whether she knows it or not, explores complex layers as an actress to show George Sand’s personality in her own genius way. Sand is recognised as an established author in the history books but Léa’s talent truly shines when I saw no replica of research on the stage. Léa found fragments of herself in George, capitalised on them and made it her own.
She made me feel resentment and admiration towards George. Who quite honestly was an obsessive pick-me-up girl, but had an abundance of talent as a writer and was unlucky to be born in an era that was ruled by men.
Léa breathed life into her stance as an infinite energy that questioned a system that laid limitations on gender, gender roles, sexuality and practical freedom.
I found myself relating to George more as a woman who wore men’s clothing simply because she could. It’s definitely more freeing and cheaper on my skin, I feel more at peace with my body and it helped me redefine comfort as a woman.
If I could have George at my dinner table scenario, I would definitely talk to her about how women wearing men’s clothing, or “looking like a man” doesn’t mean they want to be a man, it’s more fluid and colourful than that. Style has no gender if people realise their eyes can see more than just black and white.
The same goes for Iniki who played the innocent companion/lover, Marie Dovral. I believe George was attracted to Marie’s pure feminine energy that she yearned to have herself. Iniki’s portrayal of Marie made me want to be best friends with her and tell her she deserves better as a girl’s girl. But Marie saw hope in George as the future for women and admired her deeply for that.
However, the complexities of life as a woman at the time held them back from exploring a lifetime of romance together. They reflected the same mission as advocates for women in the generations ahead, but the odds were against them at an age where women’s fingers were metaphorically chopped if they dared to raise a doubt against the system.
Léa and Iniki’s chemistry and purpose on stage weren’t the only bits that drew me in, they had humorous exchanges and physical comedy that made me grunt-laugh. They were just two young girls at the end of the day trying to figure out the meaning of life, we’ve all been there.
When it comes to humour and seamless transitions between characters, I’ve never seen anyone do it like Conor Dumbrell. He played all of the male roles and there were at least five or six of them. That’s a lot!
He truly let his multiple personalities shine, it’s beyond me to even fathom how he pulled off such versatility, like it was no big deal. I had a grin on my face whenever he appeared on stage. I was mystified and hypnotised, he turned out to be the sticky notes on the pages of a book that I will go back to read again and again as the best parts.
There was Q&A session at the end of the show where I heard Rute Costa talk about her vision as a director for GEORGE. She has a very profound way of thinking that proves she was the catalyst that curated such a harmonious team.
A silent leader who tailored the strings of a vintage set, chic wardrobe, intimate lighting and a gripping background score. But more importantly, she is their biggest cheerleader as she watches the play every night like she’s watching it for the first time.
The production team of this play carefully orchestrated every move in a manner that was both melancholic and serene. When you separate each element to bits, you will see the heart in every detail and the genuine love amongst the colleagues.
Conor surprised me with his humble attitude as he explained what this play means to him, and how unique it feels to him. He wilfully plays the “little man” roles, which is such an interesting parallel to how the world has changed now where men like him no longer find false pleasure in false power.
And Iniki who embodies a very poised and elegant aura spoke of how rewarding it has been to be part of such an essential story. She stitched Marie to my heart is so many ways, her skills as an actress are paving paths that she may not see now, but will see very soon.
After the Q&A session, I hopped down the stairs to go meet Léa who is the loveliest soul I’ve ever met. I also had the pleasure of talking to Conor and members of the production team who radiate such warmth and joy that I just didn’t want to leave.
Unrealistically, I didn’t want the play to end. Realistically, it was a play that left an everlasting impression in my mind. They are an astounding team of time travellers who gently remind us that our souls are timeless, the issues we face are unjust and that art will always be the answer.
They are currently in their last week of shows at the Omnibus theatre in Clapham Common, London.
Go here https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/george-2/ to book your tickets now and witness this team of revolutionaries in their element to expand your mind.
Here’s a peak at my interview with Léa des Garets who talks about her creative process leading up to the play, her wonder colleagues and her as a incredibly talented artist and human being.
2Shades Magazine 