Unless you’re a fan of classic French literature or the films of François Truffaut, Jules and Jim will be a new and rewarding experience. Adapted from the novel by Henri-Pierre Roche, it tells of a real-life love triangle in free-spirited Paris before the First World War. We begin in 1907 with Jules (Samuel Collings) as an expatriate German writer living in Paris. He meets Jim (Alex Mugnaioni), a native Parisienne whom he recognises as a kindred spirit. They live a carefree and bohemian existence. The pair write and discuss the complexities of relationships in cafes and bars. Female acquaintances are liberally shared without concern or jealousy.
Jules and Jim travel around Europe as the mood takes them, especially in Greece, where aesthetic beauty combines with the climate and appreciation of women that surround them. There is the flawless Lucie and spontaneous Odile, but even they cannot match Kath (Patricia Allison), and a smile that would bewitch the two friends forever more. Kath soon marries Jools, and they settle for domesticity with two young children to raise. However, Jim remains firmly in the third corner of the friendship, eventually becoming a ménage à trois. The First World War puts the two friends on opposite sides of the conflict as their respective nations fight for supremacy. The post-war years are challenging as Jules and Jim reunite, with Kath inevitably at the centre of their universe. But can their friendship survive the past, present or for that matter, the future?
There is an undeniable cadence in the dialogue that makes this play highly watchable. The characters spark off each other with a lively exuberance that is hard to resist. Writer Timberlake Wertenbaker has fashioned a bright script that builds precis into the narrative as it moves forward. This works as a useful reminder for the audience, particularly with dialogue that is tightly packed into a single 90-minute act. The visuals are sparse but effective; plastic screens are cleverly spun back and forth across the stage to represent the transition between scenes. The three strong cast perform admirably and bring to life a vibrant story from a bygone era.However, it does feel like a child of the era in which it was written. Roche was in his 70s when the novel was published in 1952, and portrays attitudes that may not sit well with modern thinking. Nevertheless, it is a period drama that throws light on a true bohemian lifestyle at the turn of the century and is no less valid as a result.
Review by Brian Penn
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: E9 | Price of Ticket: £35/£31 concessions
