The Minerva Theatre in Chichester hosts a poignant production where memories of a past love resurface as a couple, Kate (Geraldine James) and Geoff (Gabriel Byrne), approach their 45th wedding anniversary.
The narrative unfolds over a week as Kate meticulously plans the anniversary celebrations. Meanwhile, Geoff receives an unexpected letter concerning a significant ex-girlfriend from his youth. This former love, Katya, tragically died over 50 years ago in an accident in the Swiss Alps, falling into a crevasse. Her body has now been discovered, remarkably preserved in ice. Geoff’s stunned declaration, “She’s still there,” introduces a chilling element, as this frozen relic of his past threatens to cast a shadow over the couple’s tranquil life together in their Norfolk village.
Originally a quiet and delicate short story by David Constantine, which was later adapted into a film, the stage adaptation by Hannah Patterson masterfully captures the subtle emotional nuances. Much of the story’s impact lies in the unspoken moments and silent discoveries. Translating such a narrative to the stage is a significant challenge, and Patterson’s spare yet evocative adaptation is truly impressive.