Have for a long time loved viewing the live cinema streamings of the National Theatre Live series. So many gems in the series and very few misses, and what strikes me about watching these productions are how they are made available so accessibly while making one feel like they are there. 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' is very enlightening source material of a tough and relevant subject, it is very sprawling but it is also very powerful, pulls no punches and enlightening.
Which is very true of this production as well. It is a great performance that falls slightly short of perfection, with so many fantastic things and very little wrong. What a way to introduce me to something completely new to me and manage to make it accessible, engaging and emotionally investable. While also achieving great performances. It is not one of the best National Theatre Live experiences this reviewer has ever had, but that doesn't stop it from it still being a great experience.
The sprawling feeling that the source material has does reflect in some of the drama, which is occasionally slightly too rough around the edges.
On the other hand, this production of 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' is very atmospheric visually and vividly captures how bad poverty is. The stage direction a vast majority of the time is incredibly thought provoking and always cohesive and involving, allowing the drama to never hold back emotionally without being too sentimental. Allowing for a very unflinching tone, while still being very moving. Did feel myself welling up by the end.
Scripting is intelligent and thought probing, as well as very enlightening in its unflinching portrayal of poverty and the community, the vibrant portrayal of the latter being one of the strongest aspects here. The character writing is strong, especially for the female roles, and the cast perform immaculately throughout, Stephanie Street really inspires.
In summary, beautiful and excellently done. 9/10.
