The 30th-anniversary revival of Patrick Marber's Dealer's Choice struggles to resonate as it reveals significant weaknesses in character development and narrative tension. Set in a restaurant during a late-night card game, the play's charm, highlighted by witty banter and period details, is undermined by the lack of depth in two-thirds of the characters. While some moments hint at drama, such as familial conflict, the absence of authentic peril dilutes the impact. The staging by Matthew Dunster fails to evoke danger, resulting in a production that feels flat and uninspired despite its initial allure.
In the play's attempts at elevating tension through character interaction, it ultimately fails as most characters are one-dimensional and lack depth.
The absence of peril and gravitas in the staging leaves characters feeling defeated rather than dangerous, undermining the essential stakes of the narrative.
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