After 23 years, Lillian Hellman’s modern classic The Little Foxes returns to London’s theatrical circuit with a much anticipated new staging at the Young Vic to round off their 2024 season.
Centred around the Hubbard family, we watch as three siblings struggle to assert their dominance over each other. It becomes apparent very early on that if they can’t gain respect, they will happily settle for reluctant submission – they clearly care for financial bonds far more than any familial ones, though it is debatable whether there were any in the first place. So, when offered the opportunity to obtain enough wealth to grant them what they most desire, no one hesitates to reach for more than their fair share.
There are some undoubtedly spellbinding performances here, particularly from Anne-Marie Duff as the viciously hardened Regina, and John Light as her ailing but not all-that-innocent husband Horace. Somehow, they still manage to present a believable married couple, showing just a shadow of affection that allows an audience to see what could have been between them, despite the fact that these two characters clearly despise one another by the time of the play’s events.
Lucy Carter’s precise, brutalist lighting both mirrors the severity of the text and Lizzie Clachan’s set. This is complemented by Tingying Dong’s satisfying sound design dutifully punctuating the beats of Lyndsey Turner’s crystal cut direction. Sharp and delicate as the family dynamic, which inevitably shatters. This is, for all intents and purposes, a fantastic production of impeccable quality.
Unfortunately, though, I simply cannot bring forth an answer to the question of ‘Why this? Why now?’ Hellman wrote this piece 85 years ago when it would no doubt have been groundbreaking. However, in 2024, nothing overly new is said, or even implied here. Yes, the standard mid-century southern state racism, sexism, and incest rear their ugly heads, but this piece does not inspect them in any further depth than the countless other post-war parlour room dramas. Nor does it bring to light any new perspectives on these matters. The women remain abused, the people of colour remain in service of the ever-self-serving rich white folk.
Considering Kwame Kwei-Armah’s affinity for exciting revivals and challenging pieces of new writing during his tenure, it comes as a surprise that The Little Foxes is to be the final production at the Young Vic under his leadership.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Good)
The Little Foxes is at the Young Vic until 8 February 2025
