Classic look at betrayal

AFTER starring in the television soap opera Emmerdale, Anna Brecon (Lady Tara) and Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle), are no strangers to the themes of sex, love, death and betrayal.

The same issues raised their heads with abundance in this new adaption of August Strindberg's classic drama Miss Julie, which is performed in one 105-minute act.

The action takes place in Miss Julie's father's country manor. The servants can be heard enjoying the midsummer's eve's festivities while downstairs in the kitchen the blue-blooded Miss Julie (Brecon) flirts and then beds the count's valet Jean (Hordley).

But he is engaged to be married to the cook Kristin and a love triangle develops which in the end leaves everybody with nobody.

At first Miss Julie towers above the valet, using her upper class position to tease him.

But once the relationship is consummated in the heat of midsummer's eve, Jean feels class is irrelevant, he is equal and in control.

Brecon and Hordley show great experience in their roles.

Brecon's Miss Julie is an irritating, dangerous woman, unstable and on the edge of madness.

Hordley's Jean, meanwhile, is almost the opposite. Confident and certain of his place in life.

Tracey Moore, still a drama student at Manchester Metropolitan University, also does an excellent job as Kristin, the level-headed, church-going cook.

All in all, a very good play. Almost worth missing Emmerdale to go and watch.

Mark Donaghy