FACE TO FACE

What is it about stories of a strong woman in crisis that people are so drawn to? The enigmatic 1976 film by Ingmar Bergman followed this design, becoming a bleak but somehow lighthearted examination of Jenny, a smart and successful woman married to a fellow psychiatrist who is suddenly plagued by terrifying dreams and is confronted by her own demons. She finds herself spiraling down into a distressing psychological journey to emerge from her delirium to try and escape from her nightmare.

The groundbreaking film has been adapted for the stage by STC co-artistic director Andrew Upton and man of the moment Simon Stone with a cast led by the brilliant Kerry Fox as Jenny. Queenie van de Zandt plays Jenny’s old friend Elizabeth who has found the way to happiness is by taking young lovers, and to keep laughing and drinking. “I think we grow up thinking a woman’s supposed to be capable,” she explains. “Ultimately, what we love about seeing a strong woman breakdown on the stage is we can relate to it.” She warns the production will be psychologically stirring for audiences: “It’s got the same sort of flow to the film in that it’s very real. It will be very confronting.”

Aug 7-Sep 8, Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $40-130, 92501777, sydneytheatre.com.au