One weekend in 1929, D.H. Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, visited a wealthy young American couple living in Paris. Lady Chatterley's Lover had been banned in Britain and the impoverished Lawrence was seeking funds to publish an American version, hoping to gain a wider readership and to gain a much-needed income. The poet Harry Crosby and his wife Caresse were typical of the Lost Generation - living a Bohemian lifestyle and consciously rebelling against social norms. Stephen Lowe's new play gives an account of the encounter between the two couples and throws light on the final months of Lawrence's life.
 
At this point, Lawrence was ill with tuberculosis and had only a short time to live. Aware of his own imminent death he was trying to create his legacy through literature but at the same time dealing with a troubled relationship with his wife. The main theme of the play is the contrast between the gloomy Lawrence and the hedonistic Crosbys. They had each expected to find kindred spirits in the other but their forms of rebellion were very different. The Crosbys are surprised to discover that Lawrence's lifestyle is conventional and find him reserved and morose. In contrast, Lawrence finds the Crosbys' hedonism shallow and meaningless and he seeks to make a breakthrough in his literature rather than in his life.

The Crosbys misunderstand Lady Chatterley as the work of an inhibited man unable to break free from convention and consider it an inferior work. Lawrence tries to explain the real value of the work but in doing so has to reveal the emotional pain caused by his writing and the difficulties of his personal life, causing much discomfort for his wife. He expresses his frustration at the censorship of his work, believing that it has the ability to change society and as we know, although it took more than thirty years, his belief was proved correct.
 
As well as a portrait of Lawrence's final years, this play is also a meditation on the nature of rebellion and is rich in symbolism. The cast of four are excellent and in particular Tim Dantay plays Lawrence very well. The set is mostly comprised of animated back projection, evoking both the Crosbys' tropical garden, complete with rippling lake and flying birds, and the stone walls and log fire of the house, which is extremely effective. Throw in Matt Aston's excellent directing and you have a fascinating experience that gives plenty of food for thought.


Empty Bed Blues play at the Lakeside Arts Centre until Saturday 21st March
 

Empty Bed Blues