16th Play - Solaris by David Greig (Adapted from the novel Solaris by Stanislaw Lem)
Polly Frame as Kris Kelvin, Keegan Joyce as Ray and Hugo Weaving as Gibarian in the international co-production between Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Malthouse Theatre Melbourne and the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh in 2019. Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
Okay, I’ve been to two conferences in the last two weeks. Conferences are all-consuming. They are joyful, wonderful learning experiences, but I’m definitely behind in my posting about the plays (that I DID read in July). This one sounded familiar, and once I started reading I was hooked.
Summary: “On a space station orbiting Solaris, three scientists have made contact with a new planet. Sent from earth to investigate reports of abnormal activity on-board, Kris Kelvin arrives to find one crew member dead and two who are seeing things that cannot be explained. When her dead lover appears to her, it seems she too has fallen victim to the mystery of this strange planet. Should she return to reality, or is this her chance to turn back time? Have the crew been studying Solaris – or has it been studying them? This psychological thriller asks who we are when we’re forced to confront our deepest fears. David Greig adapts Stanisław Lem’s cult science fiction novel for the stage.“ From the Lyric Hammerstein Theatre website.
Laura’s thoughts in brief: I don’t always love sci-fi. That being said, I am a sucker for a good story and this is one. As you can tell from the, what, three movie adaptations (also several radio and opera adaptations!)? Sorry, Clooney, haven’t seen yours or any of them yet. The difference with this adaptation is the gender-flipping. The main character, the psychologist Kris Kelvin, is written as a female in this version. (Again, sorry-not-sorry, Clooney.) Of course this makes me way more interested in it. Kelvin’s long dead boyfriend Ray shows up. Is he a dream? Or what? And why is her mentor, Dr. Gibrarian, dead? She watches videos he has left her to find out. Themes of loneliness, grief, desire and other swirl around this play. And to me, it felt like there were some ecological themes floating around the edges. Is the planet warning them, or seeking some kind of univerasl planetary revenge? There are no easy answers in the play, but it is fascinating. I liked it, and would have enjoyed seeing it. I’d love to do it - with the gender switches there are some good roles for women (hoorah!).
READ MORE! Here’s what others had to say about productions:
https://medium.com/@barbarakolari/theatre-review-solaris-aaf553cc5ae7