First performed in 1612, The White Devil is a revenge tragedy written by John Webster and is the third and final play in the 'Roaring Girls' season at The Swan Theatre. They certainly kept the best until last, this play beats the other two by a country mile.
There is, of course, a typically convoluted plot. Vittoria is married to Camillo but is the lover of Bracciano who is married to Isabella. Flaminio is Vittoria's sister and Bracciano's secretary and she facilitates their meetings. A plot is hatched to murder Vittoria's husband and Bracciano's wife. Flamimio murders Camillo whilst he is on a drunken night out and a 'doctor' is hired to ensure the death of Isabella. Vittoria is tried for the murder of her husband and is sent to a house for penitent whores, she is rescued by Bracciano and they flee to Padua to be married. Distraught at the murder of his sister Isabella, Francisco plots his revenge and follows the lovers to Padua.
The director and company clearly had total faith in the source material here, it's not played for laughs, the characters are believable and it is unapologetically a tragedy. As expected with an RSC company, there is not a weak link here and happily it never descends into caricature. Kirsty Bushell's Vittoria is strong and brilliant and although terrible things seem to happen to her at every turn, she is never a victim. She has lovely moments where she is on her own and dressing in her 'costume' for the next chapter in her life whilst watching allusions to her forthcoming fate projected behind her like a portentous dream, we see her steel herself, ready to face the next ordeal. Originally a male character in Webster's play, Flaminio is transformed in this production into Vittoria's androgynous sister played by Laura Elphinestone. This is another very strong performance and the gender change adds another layer to what could simplistically be called a battle of the sexes - there is no battle here - no boys vs. girls - just everyone out to get what they want and survive. A never ending cycle of power struggles and violence, with murder as a viable solution to get rid of those in the way of the ultimate goal. The tragic ending is apparent from the beginning, no-one wins here and no-one will ever win, the last person standing is a small boy and you see the future, the cycle of power and violence continues through him.
There are so many good things to say about this production. The courtroom battle between Vittoria and Cardinal Monticelso (a fabulous David Rintoul) is terrifically combative and gripping. The house for penintent whores is heartbreaking, especially when we learn that these women will forever be on their backs, dead-eyed and soulless, sold by the matron who is presumably supposed to keep them from harm. Of the three plays presented in the Roaring Girls season, this is the one to see. It's compelling, inventive and a great night out at the theatre.
Alison Kirkwood
