Obsession at Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Grand Théâtre

Luchino Visconti’s first feature Ossessione (1943) gave rise to Italian neorealism, a film movement that focuses on the struggle for survival of the poor working class in economically and politically difficult times. The stories are unpolished and raw and are always filmed on location. Ossessione’s script is based on James M. Cain’s classic crime novel The Postman Always Rings Twice, which gives a ruthless view of life on the fringes of society.

Gino, an attractive vagrant, stops at a small roadside restaurant and petrol station which is run by Giovanna and Giuseppe. Giovanna is unhappy and trapped in a loveless marriage with an older man in order to escape a life of poverty. She and Gino start a passionate love affair and together they secretly plot to murder her husband.

The role of Gino will be played by Jude Law whose stage credits include Henry V, Hamlet, Anna Christie as well as on the big screen Sherlock, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Side Effects and has proven himself to be one of the most important actors of his generation.

This special international production in cooperation with the Barbican will open in London in April 2017. The cast will include both British and Toneelgroep, Amsterdam actors. The play will be performed entirely in English.

Obsession is Ivo van Hove’s fourth project based on works by Visconti and the fourth production presented at the Théâtres de la Ville, with After the Rehearsal/ Persona in 2013 and two this season alone with his French version of A View from the Bridge and now Obsession. The huge success of his Antigone last season with Juliette Binoche, also co-produced by the Barbican and Théâtres de la Ville, has strengthened the link between the two venues even further as they join forces yet again to create a truly special international production.