Come closer

British actor James Giblin (41) makes his directorial debut with Patrick Marber’s play Closer, a poignant look at contemporary relationships. Alex Phillips interviews the director about his latest project.

What is the play about?
The criss-crossing love affairs of four people over a four-year period. The play was written in the Nineties when chat rooms were a novelty, but the themes are timeless: love, lust, jealousy, betrayal.

Why did you choose it?
It jumped out at me. The characters are well crafted and the text is subtle. It is funny but at times brutally close to the bone.

Was it difficult to cast?
I knew the four actors and they knew each other, which helps, as the play requires them to feel comfortable enough to express raw, intimate emotions.

Have you adapted the play?
We’ve updated to present-day London and adapted it slightly for our two American actors.

Does the play leave much up to interpretation?
Yes. Marber is precise about his pauses and beats (in one scene he states a kiss should last 10 seconds!) but the text is often sparse, and you have to glean the rich inner world of complex characters.

What methods do you use in rehearsals?
Trust exercises help create the right environment for this work. Improvisation is useful if an actor is stuck with the text.

Describe your experience.
Tough but rewarding.

Closer June 3rd to 7th, 9pm, €10
La Riereta Teatre, Reina Amalia 3; Metro: Sant Antoni. (L2) Tel. 93 329 2196