Expert Review: A Bold Portrait of American Womanhood

4.4
★★★★☆

Expert Rating

The Verdict

Mary Page Marlowe is a theatrical tour de force that challenges conventional narrative structure while delivering profound insights into the complexity of human identity. Tracy Letts has crafted an ambitious and deeply moving portrait of one woman's life, told through fragmentary moments that gradually coalesce into a powerful meditation on choice, circumstance, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are.

What Makes It Special

  • Innovative Structure: The play unfolds through non-chronological vignettes spanning Mary Page's entire life, creating a uniquely immersive theatrical experience.
  • Masterful Writing: Letts' dialogue is both naturalistic and poetic, capturing the rhythms of American speech while revealing profound truths about human nature.
  • Ensemble Excellence: Multiple actors portray Mary Page at different ages, creating a rich tapestry of performance that illuminates the character's evolution.
  • The Old Vic Production: This historic venue's commitment to bold, ambitious theatre ensures a production of the highest caliber.

Perfect For

Fans of innovative theatre, admirers of Tracy Letts' work, audiences who appreciate complex female characters, and anyone seeking thought-provoking drama that challenges traditional storytelling conventions.

Everything You Need to Know

A Life in Fragments

Mary Page Marlowe doesn't follow a traditional narrative arc. Instead, it presents snapshots of Mary Page's life from childhood to old age, performed out of chronological order. Each scene reveals a different facet of her character, gradually building a complete portrait of a complex American woman navigating love, loss, family, career, and the passage of time.

What to Expect

  • Non-chronological scenes spanning an entire lifetime
  • Multiple actors portraying Mary Page at different ages
  • Intimate moments revealing character through small details
  • Exploration of pivotal life choices and their consequences
  • A gradually emerging portrait of one woman's complex identity
  • The Old Vic's intimate atmosphere enhancing the character study

Central Themes & Ideas

  • Identity and Self: How we contain multitudes and change over time while remaining fundamentally ourselves
  • Memory and Truth: The subjective nature of personal history and how we remember our own lives
  • Choice and Consequence: How small decisions ripple through decades to shape entire lives
  • American Womanhood: Women's evolving roles across generations from the 1950s to present day
  • Time and Mortality: The passage from youth to age and confronting life's finite nature
  • Authenticity: The struggle between who we are and who we think we should be

Letts' Approach: The playwright treats his subject with deep empathy and understanding, avoiding judgment while honestly portraying the complexities and contradictions of human nature.

Practical Information

Show Times

  • Monday - Thursday: 7:30pm
  • Friday: 8:00pm
  • Saturday: 2:30pm & 7:30pm
  • Sunday: 3:00pm

Getting There

  • Underground: Waterloo (5 min walk) - Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Waterloo & City lines
  • Alternative: Southwark (10 min walk)
  • Bus: Multiple routes to Waterloo and The Cut
  • Train: Waterloo mainline station (5 min walk)
  • Location: South Bank area near Waterloo
  • Parking: Limited - use public transport recommended

The Old Vic Information

  • Historic theatre founded in 1818
  • Capacity: 1,067 seats across three levels
  • Fully accessible venue with wheelchair spaces
  • Air conditioning throughout
  • On-site bars and restaurant
  • Known for bold, ambitious productions of classics and new work