Dream Story review, Gate Theatre

As the characters in this confusing reworking of Arthur Schnitzler's Freudian Dream Story slip from the erotic to the neurotic, the audience experiences a cruel awakening: it isn't going to get any better... The wooden, school play acting is aided and abetted by affected dialogue. The only rise in the house when Fridolin and his mousy wife, Albertina, compete in Mogadon tones to make each other sexually jealous, is blood pressure. How can fantasy feel so joyless?

The Gate is a small and well placed theatre above a pub in Notting Hill and the set of Dream Story, designed by Helen Cooper, is chic and works brilliantly with the creation of new spaces through the opening and closing of gates, windows and doors. Matt Haskins' lighting is terrific.

I wouldn't give anything for this shower

The play is adapted and directed by Anna Ledwich, Assistant Director on Rupert Goold's celebrated Six Characters in Search of an Author. The only reason I can give for her getting the structure, pace and casting so wrong is the youthful triumph of hope over experience - even Stanley Kubrick failed to adapt this story well, turning it into the celluloid turkey, Eyes Wide Shut. The one high spot is Jon Foster as the lively Dr Adler.

In conclusion:  Journey to the centre of the psyche. I cannot even describe the meaningless metaphorical flights in Albertina's description of her dream. Ideal for masochists, men who want a glimpse of nipple and serious critics (see below).

References
Brian Logan in The Guardian
Matt Trueman in Time Out