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PETER BROWN Return to previous page Peter Brown's Review Index
Frida Kahlo: Viva La Vida
13 July 2008 This is a preview of a one-woman UK premiere destined for the Edinburgh fringe. Performed by Gaêl Le Cornec, written by Humberto Robles and directed by Luis Benkard, this play offers an insight into the life of Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo (1907-54). The piece has already achieved acclaim with a 'Critics Choice' award. If it's possible, or even reasonable to compare human suffering, Frida Kahlo had far more than her share. Struck down by polio at the age of 6, the disease left her with one leg thinner than the other, forcing her to wear long dresses in adulthood to disguise the deformity. And if that wasn't enough, fate was to deal her yet another catastrophic blow when, in her late teens, she was involved in a motor accident between the bus she was travelling on and a trolley car. The accident left her with horrific injuries almost too numerous to catalogue. A metal handrail went right through her abdomen and her uterus. Subsequently she had countless restorative operations, but was more often than not in severe pain, and spent much of her life in hospital. Kahlo is now well known for her paintings, and her relationship with fellow Mexcian, Diego Rivera. They were married twice, but frequently lived apart which is indicative of the stormy nature of their relationship. Both had extra-marital relationships including one between Rivera and Kahlo's sister. Gaêl Le Cornec's portrayal of Frida Kahlo is funny, heartwarming, moving and poignant, but never sentimental. Drawing in the audience and teasing them from time to time, Ms Le Cornec defines a Frida Kahlo with a mischievous sense of fun and a resounding enthusiasm for life in spite of the pain which was her constant, unseen companion. At the same time, there are moments when her suffering begins to get the better of her, and there's the suggestion that her death was not entirely natural – some people suspected that she died of an overdose, but an autopsy was never performed. Humberto Robles' script – translated for this production by Marlene De Oliveira – is biographical because it tells us some of the key facts about Kahlo's life. But it's not simply biograpical - he's tried to capture something of her personality and humour, and moreover, he poses a universally applicable question about art and the nature of suffering. Sophie Mosberger's interesting and well-executed design is rather more complex than many of the small-scale plays we often see on the fringe – or even in the West End for that matter. When the play starts, there are objects covered in dust sheets which are removed at various points in the play. Two of the objects are reproductions of Kahlo's paintings: 'The Two fridas' (1939) and 'Henry Ford Hospital' (1932) which shows Frida in hospital in the USA after complications arose with a pregnancy. It's not customary to review previews because they are, by definition, still work being polished and adjusted rather than finished pieces. However, from this showing, the play has great potential. Gaêl Le Cornec's thoughtful and energetic performance was both touching as well as compelling. So I would expect, by the time it reaches its opening night in Edinburgh, this will be a fine work and one that will no doubt attract considerable attention from festival visitors. Performed to near capacity audiences on its 3 preview nights in London, it already seems to have something of a following. That's not so surprising because people are still fascinated by both Kahlo's paintings and her life story. However, that in no way detracts from the quality of this excellent production. If there's any justice in the theatrical world, 'Frida Kahlo: Viva La Vida' will get a well-deserved chance for a longer run in London (and hopefully elsewhere) after the Edinburgh Festival. Well worth keeping an eye out for in the future. 'Frida Kahlo: Viva La vida' will be performed at the Hill Street Theatre, Edinburgh from the 1st to the 25th of August 2008 (performances on 1st and 2nd August are previews). More information at: http://www.edfringe.com/shows/detail.php?action=shows&id=395 Peter Brown
Return to previous page Peter Brown's Review Index
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