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Closer

by Patrick Marber

Media Review - Interview with Tony de Vizio

Theatremonkey.com interviewed Closer director Tony de Vizio in October 2004.

Why did you choose to direct Closer?
"It's an award-winning piece that has a great following, and some superb actors have played the four roles across the world. And it's been made into a film. I wanted to put on the stage version to show how powerful the work is live - and to give the film something to live up to.

"The play is an emotional roller coaster, which is great to direct. I related to the play when I saw it in 1997; I relate to the themes. And the piece allows actors to dig really deep to give their best performances.

"I want to stimulate all the senses of the audience, constantly engaging them throughout the show, drawing them into every second of the production. If I cannot leave audiences thinking that they too have lived the show, been touched by its themes or been swept away in moments of thought, understanding and rapture, then I would have failed."

"If you've been in a relationship, gone through a break-up, are not sure whether you are with the right person or are head-over-heels in love, this play will talk to you."
Closer director Tony de Vizio

To whom do you think Closer appeals and why?
"If you enjoy theatre that reflects real life, Closer definitely fits the bill. It pulls no punches and gets into the complexity and hard truths of relationships and an individual's actions within the various stages of a relationship.

"But Closer is also brutally truthful about the differences of how men and women think, the thought processes that occur when a loved one is with someone else and how love is sometimes far from being the movies' rose-tinted cliche.

"It will appeal to all kinds of people because, throughout the play, there will be points where someone watching will completely relate to an individual character or characters. In life, we are so many different people depending on our circumstance. People will be able to look at the play and say to themselves 'I completely understand where Anna/Alice/Dan/Larry's coming from'. So if you have been in a relationship, gone through a break-up, are not sure whether you are with the right person or are head of heels in love, this play will talk to you.

"It's an adult play, not only because of the emotionally explicit nature of text, but also because you would have had to have tried love to really appreciate its essence."

Who are the central characters? What are their attractions to the audience?
"There is a four-person cast; two men and two women. The play starts with Dan and Alice meeting for the first time.

"Dan (Antony Law) is a journalist and a player. He knows how to attract women and has a self-confidence that women find 'interesting'. However, in the opening scene, he is hooked by Alice.

"Alice (Catherine Allison) is young but she has something about her. She has travelled, stripped for a living and can capture or manipulate most situations to her advantage. The other two characters in the play are just as interesting.

"Anna (Michelle Frances) is a photographer who has just separated from her first husband. She is elegant, beautiful and most importantly independent. However, she - just like Alice - starts the play alone and wants to be loved. I'll leave the audience to decide if she's conscious of this or not, but she makes some tough decisions for love as the play progresses, and she sticks by them.

"Finally, there is Larry (Garth Wright). Larry is a qualified doctor who goes into private practice. He has weaknesses, but he knows them, and his intentions are good. He asks: 'What do you have to do to get a bit of intimacy around here?'. Some men may laugh at this but the truth is men crave this more than women. Only Larry is brave enough to say it."

Chelsea Players has just returned from the company's Edinburgh Fringe Festival debut, and "Closer" is part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival. What do you see as the attractions of being part of the festivals?
"Festivals are great - they really up the ante on what you're doing. There's some great theatre out there and, by being part of a festival, you have to make sure that you give it at least 200% of your best - but you can get your message out better. The focus of a festival really provides people with that little nudge to escape the TV."

What's so far been the most challenging aspect of the production for you?
"I really wanted to push the boat out a little further than in other productions of the piece and give the forthcoming film something to live up to. So we've have all had to put in a lot more work. We've come up with some special treats, which (if they work!) will blow the audience away. So I need to make sure that all our special surprises are expertly executed. You'll have to come to the show to see them, though!"

Do you think that the film's stars Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Jude Law or Natalie Portman know of this production of Closer?
"I wish I could say yes, and we'd love to see them, but I'm sure they're doing something else. If my memory of Hello! covers is correct, I think Ms Roberts is having twins, so the likelihood of her coming to Putney is non-existant. Jude Law and I were in the same Primrose Hill restaurant a few weeks ago... but I didn't have the guts to tell him about the production. Talking to actors on my set's no problem - going to speak to a famous one in real life is a whole different ball game."

Closer plays on 3, 4, 5 and 6 November at the Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Road, Putney, London SW15. Book on 020 8871 8711.

- Damon Odd, TheatreMonkey.com

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