Presented at the Charing Cross Theatre, London, Carmel Owen’s ambitious musical delves into the Impressionist’s past, exploring his regrets concerning his early artistic pursuits and first marriage. True to its title, this musical portrayal of Claude Monet is rich with reflections, a fitting tribute to an artist known for his fascination with light.
Set in 1916, we find the aging painter (Jeff Shankley) battling cataracts as he attempts to complete ‘The Water Lilies,’ causing him to retreat into vivid memories of his burgeoning career. While his driven younger self (Dean John-Wilson) stood poised to revolutionize art, the elder Monet, reflecting on his past, primarily sees the profound personal sacrifices demanded by his ambition, notably his regrettable treatment of Camille (Brooke Bazarian), his first wife, muse, and mother of his children. For an artist whose legacy is largely defined by triumph, this introspective and critical self-assessment offers a refreshing perspective.
Monet’s reflections also encompass the challenges faced by his contemporaries, the art establishment’s initial rejection of Impressionism, and the complex interplay between art, war, and the role of women. Indeed, these numerous reflections are so pervasive that Carmel Owen’s ambitious script occasionally resembles a ‘house of mirrors’ – an engaging concept, yet one that can lead to a somewhat fragmented focus.