Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves' stage reunion in David Eldridge's trilogy brings an added layer of emotional resonance to 'End', the latest installment. The play, which opens at the National Theatre in London, poignantly overlaps with its predecessors, Beginning and Middle, each of which can be appreciated individually but collectively form a powerful narrative.
Beginning and Middle are tenderly directed by Rachel O'Riordan, who has also guided End through its UK premiere. These three plays, however, share an unmistakable bond – they explore the stages of relationships, from the early days of romance to marital crises and eventual diagnoses that alter lives forever.
One cannot help but think of the 1991 film Close My Eyes when witnessing Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves' reunion on stage. The movie, written by Stephen Poliakoff in 1975, is loosely based on his earlier play Hitting Town and tells the haunting story of an incestuous relationship between Natalie (Reeves) and her younger brother Richard (Owen). Their doomed love becomes a metaphor for the turmoil that defined their generation.
In Eldridge's End, Owen and Reeves bring their characters to life with nuanced physicality, reflecting the comfort of decades together as well as an unavoidable sense of distancing. Early on, Alfie wonders aloud if he and Julie will ever make love again, a scene eerily reminiscent of Close My Eyes where Natalie attempts to subdue her passion with Richard.
The memory of that film's intense sex scenes also heightens the impact of End's portrayal of Alfie and Julie's relationship. While the intimacy direction by Bethan Clark is rare in Eldridge's play, it brings an authenticity that underscores the characters' vulnerabilities, their love, and fear for each other. The scene is both humorous and melancholic, with a fleeting moment of passion on the sofa that echoes the well-crafted but brief encounters between Natalie and Richard.
As the actors reunite to portray couples, they inevitably bring the ghosts of their predecessors into play. Clive Owen's portrayal of Alfie is haunted by his earlier roles – particularly his cocksure Chancer in TV. The suave character from television gives way to a disheveled, tracksuit-wearing man wracked with guilt.
Ultimately, End taps into the power of screen history, using Reeves' success as a novelist to fulfill Natalie's thwarted creative ambitions. This play is poignantly poised between past and future, capturing the uncertainty that defines our generation. As we watch Alfie navigate his send-off in terms of a DJ choosing the right banger, it becomes clear that End has tapped into something universal – a sense of storytelling that finds its perfect pitch.
End is now at the National Theatre in London until 17 January.
Beginning and Middle are tenderly directed by Rachel O'Riordan, who has also guided End through its UK premiere. These three plays, however, share an unmistakable bond – they explore the stages of relationships, from the early days of romance to marital crises and eventual diagnoses that alter lives forever.
One cannot help but think of the 1991 film Close My Eyes when witnessing Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves' reunion on stage. The movie, written by Stephen Poliakoff in 1975, is loosely based on his earlier play Hitting Town and tells the haunting story of an incestuous relationship between Natalie (Reeves) and her younger brother Richard (Owen). Their doomed love becomes a metaphor for the turmoil that defined their generation.
In Eldridge's End, Owen and Reeves bring their characters to life with nuanced physicality, reflecting the comfort of decades together as well as an unavoidable sense of distancing. Early on, Alfie wonders aloud if he and Julie will ever make love again, a scene eerily reminiscent of Close My Eyes where Natalie attempts to subdue her passion with Richard.
The memory of that film's intense sex scenes also heightens the impact of End's portrayal of Alfie and Julie's relationship. While the intimacy direction by Bethan Clark is rare in Eldridge's play, it brings an authenticity that underscores the characters' vulnerabilities, their love, and fear for each other. The scene is both humorous and melancholic, with a fleeting moment of passion on the sofa that echoes the well-crafted but brief encounters between Natalie and Richard.
As the actors reunite to portray couples, they inevitably bring the ghosts of their predecessors into play. Clive Owen's portrayal of Alfie is haunted by his earlier roles – particularly his cocksure Chancer in TV. The suave character from television gives way to a disheveled, tracksuit-wearing man wracked with guilt.
Ultimately, End taps into the power of screen history, using Reeves' success as a novelist to fulfill Natalie's thwarted creative ambitions. This play is poignantly poised between past and future, capturing the uncertainty that defines our generation. As we watch Alfie navigate his send-off in terms of a DJ choosing the right banger, it becomes clear that End has tapped into something universal – a sense of storytelling that finds its perfect pitch.
End is now at the National Theatre in London until 17 January.
! I'm loving how these plays are all connected by their themes on relationships and how they explore the stages of love, loss, and life's ups & downs. The fact that Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves are reuniting on stage for End is super exciting, and it's amazing to see how they're bringing this narrative to life 
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like who else can make you believe in a doomed love story? The way they bring Alfie and Julie to life is pure magic. That reunion scene from 'Close My Eyes' comes to mind - the sex scenes are so iconic and the emotions that Clive Owen brings to this character are insane 
I'm not surprised he's giving his all, it's like a masterclass in acting. The way they play off each other is undeniable, you can feel their comfort and distance as characters. And let's be real, Saskia Reeves is the QUEEN 
her presence elevates the entire production to another level 
! Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves' chemistry on screen still holds up, even after all these years 
. Their roles in Close My Eyes were so iconic, it's crazy to see them revisit those characters again 
. And can we talk about that intimacy direction by Bethan Clark? It's like she bottled the emotions and poured them onto the stage 
. The connections between these three plays are so well-woven, it's like a powerful tapestry 
. I'm intrigued to see how End explores the themes of relationships, love, and loss – it sounds like a really special production 
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. Their performances are so raw, it's like they're still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster that is Alfie and Julie's relationship 
. The way they bring their characters to life on stage, with this amazing physicality, is just captivating 
. And can we talk about how iconic those sex scenes are? 
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. And let's be real, Clive Owen's character transformation is EVERYTHING 
. I mean, who knew that Chancer could become Alfie? 
i loved close my eyes back in the day (1991) and now this stage reunion brings a whole new level of depth to the story. the emotional resonance must be incredible with them playing couples who've been together for decades 
rachel o'riordan's direction is genius, she weaves the three plays together seamlessly 
. I'm definitely going to check out this play at the National Theatre, thanks for the rec! 
and I'm still trying to process all the food I ate 
. I'm also loving how the play explores themes of love, guilt, and identity that will resonate with anyone who's ever navigated a tough relationship or milestone moment in life 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves are both talented actors, but come on... can't they just write new material or something? 
The fact that this play is just a rehash of an old movie (Close My Eyes) feels like a lazy way to create a narrative. And what's up with the weird nostalgia trip vibes? It's like they're trying to cash in on their past successes instead of pushing the story forward 
. I also don't love how this play is just a slow-burning exploration of Alfie and Julie's relationship - can't we have some real plot twists or character development? 
The intimate scenes are fine, I guess, but it feels like they're trying too hard to make us feel all the feels 
I'm not even kidding, I need to see this play ASAP! 
Is anyone else going to catch End at the National Theatre? 
it was like watching an old favorite come back to life. what i love most is how the actors are still carrying over traits from past roles, it's so cool to see Clive Owen go from suave TV Chancer to a disheveled tracksuit-wearing guy wracked with guilt 
I love how they're playing with the dynamics of their characters, the intimacy scenes are super realistic and emotional 
. rachel o'riordan's direction is perfection, capturing the comfort and distance between alfie & julie so beautifully 
- from being a smooth-talking TV guy to a guilt-ridden tracksuit-wearing mess. It's like he's trying to find himself again! And the intimacy direction by Bethan Clark is on point 
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