Life is a dream

'If I'm asleep, don't let me wake. If this is real, don't let me dream.'

“Life Is a Dream” by Pedro Calderon de la Barca is one of the most important Spanish works of its time. Written around 1636, at a similar time to Shakespeare, the play is a beautiful example of Spanish Golden Age theatre. The test this year at the Donmar Warehouse is whether the play can prove as timeless as Shakespeare’s can.
A few years in the making, this production features a new translation by Helen Edmundson which stays true to Calderon’s original darkly comic play. The play centres on the prince Segismundo who has been locked up since birth so as not to fulfil a prophecy which anticipates the horror he would wreck if he were made king. Feeling guilty for all of this, and so that the play has some action, King Basilio decides to release his son and tell him his true title under the pretence that he is dreaming. This is so that he can see if the prophecy comes true and if it does, he can lock him back away and convince him it was a dream. The play unfolds with emphasis on this idea of dreams and reality and whether or not someone can defy their fate.
One of the main draws to this production will probably be the inclusion of Dominic West (best known for his role in The Wire) as lead character Segismundo. He doesn’t disappoint in the flesh and delivers a believable and sustained performance. He is strong and emotional but also delivers moments of comedy particularly when he is adjusting to his new status as royalty. The set is minimal, staying true to the traditions of the time it was written, but the actors fill up the space well enough. For those unfamiliar with Spanish theatre, this play won’t be too much of a shock as the structure is very similar to Shakespeare’s. It features much concealment of the truth, short asides and long soliloquy’s.
The play deals with themes of reality and illusion, fate and destiny and honour lost and regained. As well as all of this, the play also manages to be funny. Most of the comic relief comes from Lloyd Hutchinson who plays the character of Clarion. He plays the part perfectly, creating comic moments from a script which may remain flat if played with less skill. The theatre itself is an intimate venue and if lucky enough to get tickets for the stalls, the audience are almost directly on the stage which isn’t high off the ground. This creates the atmosphere which is perfect for this play. The actor’s monologues are not lost to audience members high up in the gods as the furthest away seats are still extremely close to the action.
A brilliant part of this play was the live music performed by Ansuman Biswas using such unusual instruments as a Hang, of which there are only apparently 400 in the world. It creates a very eerie kind of sound which was perfect for the darker moments within the play. Ansuman Biswas’s singing also helps give the play a haunting quality which is perhaps heightened by the fact that the musician performs throughout the play inside a cell identical to the one Segismundo is held in. This play is a dream to watch- the acting is engaging, the music moving and it has just enough comic moments to avoid remaining flat and lifeless.
It is definitely one to catch whilst it is still on at the Donmar until the 28th of November. Not only is it unusual for it to be performed but it is unlikely that it will be played again as well as it is in this production. The run is sold out but 10 seated tickets and 20 standing are released each day from the box office in Covent Garden.

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