‘There are people who eat the earth and eat all the people on it. Then there are people who stand around and watch them eat it.’
The year is 1900, and the Hubbards are a prominent family in Alabama. But every family has its secrets, some more devastating than others. Lillian Hellman’s story of greed, ambition, and savagery reveals the grim reality of it all.
After spending her life watching her brothers rise on the corporate ladder, growing their wealth alongside of it, Regina Giddens (Anne-Marie Duff) decides to take matters into her own hands. In so doing, she sets off a chain of events with devastating consequences.
The show itself is set in Regina’s living room: a vast room with grey walls and decadent, yet simplistic, decor and a long staircase (Lizzie Clachan). The back wall of the set has sliding doors which give onto the end of a great oak dining room table. The whole set up is very clever in that the dining room becomes a private space for the characters, mirroring the alienation of the servants from the family.
The main themes of the show are dark, depicting (amongst others) forced broken marriages leading to alcohol abuse, disability, racism and sexism. In other words, the content warnings for this show are plentiful, all of which are thoroughly detailed by the Young Vic Theatre website.
What makes it all the more terrifying is the perfect union between the lighting and set designs. The walls are a dull shade of grey, making it the perfect canvas for Lucy Carter’s sickeningly appropriate green lighting design.
The cast itself is simply superb. Eleanor Worthington-Cox (as Alexandra, Regina’s 17 year old daughter) delivers a performance which is as innocent as it is strong and heartbreaking. Duff as Regina Giddens is insane, in every sense of the word. Her performance was as nuanced as could be, as she brought to life the twisted nature of her character. Andrea Davy, as Addie the housekeeper, brought to the table a beautifully tragic performance. Her character is dehumanised constantly, because of her race, and so, she is forced to standby as she watches Alexandra get swept up in the terrifying reality that is her family.
The perfect marriage of a twisted story of treason, a beautiful cast and incredible sets and lights, brought to life an overall thrilling production.
Little Foxes runs at the Young Vic until 8th February.
★★★★★ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Johan Persson
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