THEATRE REVIEW: Proof ★★

Proof

The Criterion Theatre, Coventry

3rd February 2015

One of David Auburn’s most famous plays, Proof, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play in 2001, is set in Canada, where two sisters, Catherine and Claire, must come to terms with the death of their father, Robert, a mathematical genius professor at the University. The story also stars Hal, a former student of Robert, who looks through Robert’s notebooks for new discovery’s of his late professors work, and throughout the play has a romantic link with Catherine.

A Very thought provoking, tackling strong themes and issues, I felt like all the characters were well developed, though the actors portraying them had a lack of stage presence, often becoming very static in scenes, though praise must be given to certain chemistry within the cast, especially between Lucy and Graham, convincingly as Catherine and Robert, as their scenes felt very realistic as Father and Daughter.

I thought that the set was very impressive, with decking and walls to recreate the Chicago porch throughout, and really helped when the set act really delved into the past of Catherine and Robert, and how the events mentioned in the first act resulted in the conclusion of those in the second act. One of these events was one that brought the first act to a closure for the interval, and this was the discovery of a new exciting theory, where Catherine claimed that she wrote what was one of her father notebooks, which then had act two find out what really happened with the theory in question.

Overall, Proof was one of the most real and straight pieces of theatre of which I have seen. Engaging and Leaving you to ponder on things further and watching, I would encourage anyone to read the play, or watch the production on stage, if the opportunity comes around.