Sandra Oh, known for her television roles, has made her British theatre debut in a modern adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy, 'The Misanthrope,' at the National Theatre. While the production secured the acclaimed actress, a review described the play itself as a significant misstep.
Patrick Marmion, writing for the Daily Mail, noted that Oh, 54, is "a complete natural on stage" with "theatrical charisma to burn." However, he stated that she chose "a dog's dinner of a play" for her British theatre debut. The adaptation, penned by Martin Crimp, updates the 17th-century French classic. In this version, the titular misanthrope is Alice, a bestselling novelist facing repercussions for causing offense with her new book.
The review suggested that the plot becomes bogged down in "hoaxes and dead ends," centering on Alice's relationship with her narcissistic boyfriend, Stefan, portrayed as an actor, addict, and lothario. The play's dialogue is described as described as "ranting verse," addressing contemporary issues such as social media censorship, identity politics, and patriarchy.
A particular plot point involving a revelation about Stefan's infidelity is dismissed in the review as being quickly overcome in the subsequent scene. Oh's portrayal of Alice is described as "colourfully ferocious and sometimes emotionally raw," but the reviewer questioned the audience's ability to care about the surrounding self-regarding metropolitan media characters.
The production, directed by Indhu Rubasingham, was also criticized for its lack of clarity, concluding with what was called a "bizarre 17th-century fancy dress party." The only other character deemed sympathetic was Alice's gay playwright friend, John, played by Paul Chahidi.
Despite the criticism of the play, the reviewer expressed hope that Oh's experience with "The Misanthrope" would not deter her from future stage performances, urging her return for "something more worthwhile."
'The Misanthrope' is scheduled to run at the Lyttelton Theatre at the National Theatre until August 1, 2026.