The great American playwright Eugene O’Neill described ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ (1956) as, ‘that play of old sorrow, written in tears and blood’. In this epic, cathartic work, O’Neill dramatises his own family’s story for the world’s stage.
The stage has never seen a longer day’s journey than the Tyrone family’s, parents James and Mary, and sons, James Junior and Edmund, meeting at their summer home in Connecticut in 1912 with all the issues between them coming devastatingly to a head.
‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ works dramatically because it is such a painful, heartbreaking depiction of characters doing battle, and trying to overcome their personal demons, in search of some peace in their lives.
Andrew Upton’s current revival at the Sydney theatre, with its strong cast and creative team, establishes an authentic, memorable portrait of the troubled Tyrones.
Robyn Nevin, one of Australia’s finest actresses, is outstanding as the morphine addict Mary Tyrone. The play starts with her returning home after time in rehab. The family are hoping that she has turned the corner however their fears that she will backslide are soon realised. Nevin’s Mary Tyrone is a ghostly presence forever haunting and destabilising the family.
Academy award winning actor William Hurt is memorable as the weak willed James Tyrone, who allows his insecurities to run his life. One of his demons is that he is unable to part with his money, even when it comes to providing proper medical care for his dying son, Edmund.
Luke Mullins is exceptional as the younger son, Edmund, commonly regarded as the Eugene O’Neill character in the play. Mullins’s Edmund conveys his characters’ gauntness and fragility, his abrasiveness and sharp intellect. The clashes between Mullins and Hurt are memorable.
An impressive Todd Van Voris, playing older son, James Junior, leaves in an indelible mark in a fierce scene when, late in the night, he crashes through the front door after a night of binge drinking and whoring.
Emily Russell completes the cast in a convincing performance as the buxom, fresh faced, amiable but dull witted Cathleen.
Production values are strong with Michael Scott-Mitchell portrait frame set, Tess Schofield’s apt period costumes, Max Lyandvert’s dark score, and Nick Schlieper’s atmospheric lighting design.
Brace yourself for this show. This is one helluva journey. A joint Sydney Theatre Company and Artists Repertory Theatre production, ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ plays the Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay until 1st August 1, 2010. The production then moves to Portland, Oregon, USA for another season between the 13th and 29th August, 2010.