After the real life heist in 2020 at a Dutch museum, an early Van Gogh landscape worth £2.6m-£5.2m was then passed around the criminal world like a hot potato, according to art detective Arthur Brand. ‘Parsonage Garden in Spring’ already showed his talent as a colourist, the spectral figure in the centre perhaps a sign of a love affair with his neighbour.
Writer Alex Wanebo was intrigued by the idea of a thief with a painting that's too famous to sell, a masterpiece with a curse. This story is imaginatively weaved into a play about how we cope with the emptiness of grief after the death of a loved one. Olivia is alone in her Brooklyn apartment which features centre stage a valuable work of art which she stole in memory of Amber; working at the gallery, this was her favourite painting by Van Gogh, so bringing it into their home is a way of re-connection.
A dark haired, bearded man in a white boiler suit suddenly materialises, the haunting ghost of Vincent himself, extremely perturbed to know that Olivia has stolen his painting, as she browses through a battered copy of ‘The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh.’ Writing for him was cathartic in a life marked by self doubt and rejection, it helped him let go of his feelings. Reading these private thoughts from an emotionally fractured soul, his words give comfort in her loss. “Let us not forget the text, ‘sorrowful yet always rejoicing,’ and faith in God .. the loneliness which we sometimes feel even in the midst of a crowd, to fall from us.” Ever Yours, Vincent
It’s a clever device as Vincent explains that as he is the spirit of his artwork, he misses ‘floating around the gallery, talking to other artists. You should take my painting back!’
The rather convoluted comic caper of a plot is dramatised by Olivia, Vincent, Peter, the gallery curator, and two friends, Sarah and Sophia (performed in dual role). Also confusingly, the two bearded actors are both dressed in white boiler suits and as they tumble about in horseplay, their identity is easily mistaken. Similar voices too- why does Vincent speak with a British not Dutch accent?
Instead of a realistic vision of Van Gogh’s artwork, there’s just an empty frame on the wall rather than a print of ‘Parsonage Garden in Spring’ which inspired this play; the clever flyer image of an iconic self-portrait in an Ikea bag is not followed through on stage.
A delightful sense of the close relationship is revealed as Olivia plans a 171st birthday party for Vincent as he has not celebrated one for a long time – ‘Do you have Absinthe?’ he eagerly asks.
This is a surreal, dark drama as Olivia shares her feelings of loss, trapped like a bird in a cage. ‘She’s gone, she’s gone, she’s gone.’ But at times the light-hearted, slapstick humour destroys the melancholic mood of Van Gogh’s art, life and death. More theatrical abstract expressionism than an impressionistic portrait.
Showtimes:
12 – 17 August @ 09.50 & 19 – 24 August, @ 11.30
Ticket prices: £10 (£8)
Age guidance: 16+
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ever-yours