Eddie Carbone works as a Longshoreman under the Brooklyn Bridge. He and his wife agree to illegally house her Sicilian cousins. But when one of them falls for Catherine, his niece, the cracks in the family break wide open. Eddie’s intense obsession with Catherine drives him down a road that ends in betrayal and destruction. The human themes are timeless, and we can identify parts of ourselves in each character.
Performed by National Theatre Drama School’s graduating third year students, this minimalist production was riveting and satisfying.
CAST
Eddie Anthony O’Connell
Catherine Delta Marshall-Brooks
Beatrice Eva McEntee
Marco Berk Ozturk
Rodolfo Anton Koum
Alfieri/Louis/2nd Officer Joran Chodziesner
Mike/Tony/1st Officer William Murray
Dir Trent Baker
I had seen the seven students perform a year ago, and was particularly struck by Anthony O’Connell’s exceptional development as an actor.
His visceral performance in this challenging main role as Eddie was compelling and sympathetic.
Having recently returned from New York, seeing Broadway and off-Broadway theatre, I was also impressed with his flawless Brooklyn accent, maintained throughout his performance. He reminded me of a young De Niro, as he immediately transported us to his world.
Eva McEntee as his wife, Beatrice, inhabited her role so adroitly that I didn’t initially recognise her. She brought a subtle touch of control to her complex role that was vital for believability.
The second act was powerful theatre that enabled all of the actors to draw us into a poignant and discomforting journey. Fight scenes were so well choreographed that many audience members held their breath.
Berk Ozturk, as the silent cousin, brought menace and passion while Anton Koum was delightfully engaging and insouciant.
During the first act, I was a tad concerned that the play wasn’t necessarily much of a vehicle for all of the actors to showcase themselves, but the second act afforded them all an opportunity to claim their space on the stage.
This was a moving, gut wrenching, and polished evening and the actors certainly delivered the best of themselves.
