Ashes to Ashes

3.83 (18)

Ashes to Ashes

9 performances between Jan. 26, 2015 and Feb. 7, 2015
Drama
By Harold Pinter • Directed by Gabriella Pinto. • Starring Terry Norton as Rebecca & Mark Elderkin as Devlin
50mins
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After a successful run at the Cape Town Fringe Festival, Harold Pinter's 'Ashes to Ashes' comes to Alexander Bar.

On a summer evening, Rebecca recalls a sadomasochistic ritual between her and a past over. An intrigued Devlin proceeds to interrogate her in an attempt to rekindle their relationship. She must revoke her repressed past to face her troubled present while his suspicions grow and his desire to secure and control their future is threatened by her enigmatic recollections.

How do we live in the present if we repress past atrocities? "Elderkin – who makes a welcome return to serious roles after a recent run of comedic performances – is cold, wry and quietly domineering. Norton’s relaxed delivery is at masterful odds with the underlying intensity of her experience" - Carla Lever, The Daily Maverick

Media & Reviews

"Both actors are superb... Elderkin has a dangerous sex appeal... Norton is voluptuous and confident yet fearful.."

Pinter Patter of Tiny Horrors: Review by Herman Lategan

Audience Responses

brilliantly acted, but did not give me satisfaction, as I know Harold Pinter does real, not real. but there were too many pregnant silences and nothing was concluded I know people could have different views of things but this play was a bit to wierd for my taste

lana • Attended Jan. 31, 2015, 7 p.m.
3.0

Gripping show performed by two of Cape Town's finest actors.

Amy • Attended Feb. 4, 2015, 7 p.m.
4.0

I thought it very fine indeed !

Roy • Attended Feb. 5, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

Gripping show performed by two of Cape Town's finest actors.

Amy • Attended Feb. 4, 2015, 7 p.m.
4.0

Absolutely brilliant script, casting, direction. Please bring it back. I'm telling all my friends.

Dawn • Attended Jan. 30, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

I loved it. I was drawn into its seriousness from the first quiet line unspoken. It is such a privilege to be able to spend time in the presence of people who have gone to the trouble of transporting an audience into another world - if only for a brief moment. Thank you.

Heidi • Attended Jan. 31, 2015, 7 p.m.

Poor Pinter script. Male lead's dialogue sounded like a particularly aggressive lawyer's court cross-examination. Good performances, especially by Terry Norton, but her many sotto voce passages were almost inaudible, largely because of high background noise of the fan on the aircon (confirmed by my much younger companion with normal hearing). The cold aircon blasting away caused several people to move away from cold draught in the neck - myself included. Perhaps speed of fan could be adjusted? I was grateful to know that the scene was not autobiograhical!

HENK • Attended Jan. 30, 2015, 7 p.m.
3.0

I thought the actors were great, I liked the simplicity of the direction and the great text. Well Done!

Stefan • Attended Jan. 28, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

I guess Ashes to Ashes may just have been a little too cerebral for me! Even after Googling this Pinter play I was still none the wiser as to what the hell it was all about! I mean that whole passage about the pen rolling off the table was just completely off the wall!! Whilst the female lead was well acted I thought an actor with a more polished English accent would have carried the male lead better.

STEPHEN • Attended Jan. 30, 2015, 7 p.m.
3.0

Interesting. Pauses between 2actors quite long in some cases and I found from 3rd row her voice too soft sometimes. Christine

Christine • Attended Jan. 26, 2015, 7 p.m.
3.0

Wonderful to have Pinter at the Alexander Bar. Brilliant performance by Terry Norton.

Gordon • Attended Jan. 30, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

great acting terrible polt