Should women beware women? If Thomas Middleton’s more than three and a half century old play “Women Beware Women” is still on the stage, even after been seen by billions and is still attracting millions today, the answer is obvious. Yes, they should.
Oliver Theatre’s huge, circle stage was perfectly decorated for Women Beware Women which takes place during the Renaissance era and shows how characters unknowingly become victim of their greed even if it costs them the love of their lives and gives them incredible misery. The play is old but its theme is still new as we human beings are still greedy, maybe even greedier than we were in Middleton’s time. Linda Davies, a former investment banker who writes children’s books and financial thrillers, refers the bankers who caused the global recession in 2007, to explain the level of today’s greediness on the play’s programme.
The play also touches on many other issues such as sin, incest, manipulative and stupid women who are both seen as possession of men and who in fact fight themselves and victimise themselves, while ruining other women’s lives. Some scenes spice the play with comedy which makes all the countless murders bearable for audiences.
It is beautifully performed which might sound overacting to many however we should remember that the play is written in 17th century’s English and based on the feeling of lust and greed . Olly Fox’s live music on the balcony of the huge theatre takes audiences into Renaissance time and into the characters’ world. Expensive looking velvet and silk costumes which reinforce the characters’ main value wealth are designed by Lez Brotherston.
In the first half ,Leantio (Samuel Barnett) ,who is a poor banker’s clerk, marries to heiress Bianca(Lauren O’Neill) .Leantio leaves Bianca with his mother soon after their marriage to go back to work.
The Duke of Florance(Richard Lintern) catches Bianca’s attention and deceives with his prosperous life to marry him which creates conflict between him and his brother Cardinal(Chu Omambala). Duke orders Hippolito(Raymond Coulthard) to murder Leantio to free Bianca for their marriage .
Fast ,musical-like second half releases all the stiffness that audiences get from first half however series of murders continue and until the end of the play .Ferociously every characters dies, only Cardinal remains alive who fights for virtue in every scene he appears .
Women Beware Women was staged in Broadway twice in 1987 and 2008 and once again has been directed by Marianne Elliott at National Theatre.
Although Thomas Middleton is the least known and least appreciated playwright and poet ,he is contemporary of Shakespeare and they both worked for the same company in 1620s.Middleton achieved equal success in comedy and tragedy who also wrote masques and pageants. “The Revenger’s Tragedy ,”Timon of Athens” and “The Changeling” are Middleton’s other best known plays.
