Review: Intimate Apparel at the Park Theatre

Intimate Apparel
Park Theatre (Park200)
Reviewed on Thursday 10th July 2014
★★★★

Intimate Apparel is one of the most moving pieces of theatre I have seen so far this year. Set in NYC in 1905, Lynn Nottage's play centres around an extraordinary black seamstress called Esther. With dreams of finding love and opening her own beauty salon for black women, Esther (who is unable to read and write) becomes close with her landlady, Mrs Van Buren, who helps her to reply to letters sent from a lonesome Caribbean man working on the Panama Canal.

Last year I saw Tanya Moodie give the performance of a lifetime in Paulette Randall's West End production of August Wilson's Fences. I was so incredibly affected that after the show I thought it would be impossible for another performance to ever move me so much; but here Moodie surpasses herself. Her portrayal of Esther in Intimate Apparel is overwhelmingly enthralling.

Moodie's portrayal carefully invites the audience to take Esther under their wing. Things seem to be going well as the first act draws to a close, but I returned to my seat with trepidation ahead of act two - I found the thought of things going downhill for Esther unbearable. Moodie allowed me to feel Esther’s pain, all I wanted was for the character to find the happiness and peace she deserves.

Mark Bailey's design has transformed the atmosphere of the Park Theatre. I adore the off-West End venue and am thrilled the Park are finally housing a production which I can tell everybody to go and see! The play feels long but scenes often move swiftly with short scene changes in-between. 

Nottage's writing is incredibly human. All the characters have flaws and dreams. Her writing is real and relatable, despite the circumstances being chillingly unimaginable. Tension builds throughout the second act and I predicted a huge showdown so was slightly disappointed when this didn't happen. However, upon reflection I understand the choices Esther makes and the dignified manner in which she deals with the horrendous situation she finds herself in.

Aside from a couple of slow moments and a dodgy Caribbean accent, it's hard to fault Intimate Apparel. Telling a story which needs to be told with such heart, Intimate Apparel is an emotional and moving yet empowering play. Tanya Moodie deserves awards for her masterful performance; I hope Laurence Boswell’s production finds the audience it deserves.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Intimate Apparel runs at the Park Theatre (Park200) until Sunday 27th July 2014.

Please visit www.parktheatre.co.uk for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit: Simon Annand