Expectations were high for Daniela Nardini's return to the stage. But our critic Mark Shenton finds something lacking...

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Camille (Lyric Hammersmith)
The BBC TV series 'This Life' propelled many acting careers, and actors like Jack Davenport, Andrew Lincoln, Ramon Tikaram, Natasha Little and Jason Hughes have all appeared on the London stage in recent years.

Now, at last, Daniela Nardini has followed in their footsteps, appearing onstage for the first time in a decade, and expectations were high. Not only does she radiate intelligence, but she also has a glamorous allure.

Nardini plays Marguerite Gautier, a high society prostitute in 19th-century Paris, who crosses the line between heart and commerce when she falls in love with a young aristocratic man, Armand Duval (Elliot Cowan), and he with her. This ignites the ire of the man's father (Paul Shelley), who drives them apart.

Based on a scandalous autobiographical 1848 novel 'La Dame Aux Camellias' by Alexandre Dumas fils, the Lyric's artistic director Neil Bartlett - who has adapted it - reminds us:

"Too often, when Camille is retold, the myth obscures the social reality. To put it bluntly, it is perfectly possible to watch the Garbo film or to listen to La Traviata without knowing that anyone in it is either a prostitute or a prostitute's client."

mood and atmosphere

While he may in the process make the implicit far more explicit, the fragmentary narrative he builds around it doesn't illuminate this tale of sexual obsession and need with much dramatic vigour.

Daniela Nardini

And Nardini has neither the tragic stature nor the voice projection to connect herself to the character or the character to the audience.

As austerely rendered on a stage decorated only with a few bits of furniture, a piano, a painted curtain and an oversized wardrobe, David McVicar's production is all mood and atmosphere, but through the murky gloom of Paul Constable's lighting, it is oppressive rather than impressive.

Camille is at the Lyric Hammersmith, King Street W6 until 12 April. Tickets £5 - £24. Box Office: 020 8741 2311/ cc 020 7836 3464

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