Hamish Walker | Scotland

⭐️
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
@lyceumedinburgh

I have waited 23 years since the last production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at this very theatre and what a disappointment.

Gayle Rankin fails to convince as Jean Brodie. She lacks the charm, confidence and presence that make the character memorable.

From the beginning David Harrower’s adaptation struggles to bring Jean Brodie to life. We never really see the inspiring teacher who wins over her pupils, making her eventual downfall far less powerful.

Chloe Lamfords’s staging is contemporary but also disappoints. The atmosphere and classrooms charm of Marcia Blane School for Girls is lost and replaced with a tiered curve.

For a story so closely associated with Edinburgh, the production feels strangely removed from its roots.

After waiting 23 years to see Jean Brodie return to the stage I expected so much more.

Sadly this production is anything but the crème de la crème.

#PrimeofMissJeanBrodie #NationalTheatreofScotland #Edinburgh #school