Electra/Persona at the National Theatre review: A dull mash-up of Sophocles and Bergman

Cate Blanchett's new play Electra/Persona at the National Theatre, starring opposite Nina Hoss, has been met with mixed reviews. The critic describes the production as a "dull mash-up of Sophocles and Bergman," better than the previous Brie Larson adaptation but still leaving much to be desired. The show features Blanchett and Hoss taking on the roles of Electra and Clytemnestra, with an audience member flipping a coin each night to determine which actress plays each part.

The play takes place on a stark, empty stage with a large flight of stairs, creating a vertiginous atmosphere. The first act follows the events of the Greek tragedy, with Electra vengefully seeking revenge against her mother for her father's murder. While Blanchett possesses a magnetic presence, the dense, abstract exchanges between the characters feel strangely dull.

In the second act, the production introduces elements from Ingmar Bergman's 1966 film Persona, with Blanchett playing the silent actress Elisabet Vogler and Hoss her nurse. The addition of live video projections further highlights Blanchett's face, standing in for various scenes.

Despite some visually arresting moments, such as the use of dry-ice, blood-red liquid, and smoke, the overall production feels long and plodding. The critic questions the purpose of combining these two classic texts and the intended message behind the muddled narrative. Although Blanchett and Hoss received applause upon their appearance to flip the coin, they garnered a larger ovation after the curtain fell.