All About Eve

The relevance of the story of as depicted in the original 1950 film and the stage play The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr has even more relevance in today’s media saturated society where fandom has often become a cult. This stage version is an incisive exposé of all the insecurities that fuel celebrity culture.

Margo Channing (Gillian Anderson) is a famed stage actress whose aging status provokes fear and paranoia rendering all her relationships problematic. Eve Harrington (Lily James) is a dedicated fan who surreptitiously infiltrates Channing’s life. Eventually, she usurps Channing’s role only to find she is plagued by the same doubts and fears that often threw her idol into hysteria.

Anderson is masterful as Margo. She captures all the hyperbolic quality brought to film role by Bette Davis, and delivers this with an air of finesse and grace. This is also studiously reflected in the highly stylised and magnificent set and costume design. Anderson is captivating in the way she is able to convey all the vulnerability of a star who is terrified of fading beauty and importance: masking all her doubts with a façade of confidence. This is beautifully emphasised by the change in her disposition towards the end of the play. 

The tension between the two characters is wholly tangible as James effectively disguises her Machiavellian scheming behind a mask of innocence and naivety. This draws out the complexity of her character as someone well beyond merely being star struck. This production offers a chilling look into our contemporary media saturated world through a breathtaking revitalisation of this iconic text.

Patricia Di Risio

Participating cinemas