Stage review: Tolstoy's tragedy is fizzing with brilliant ideas

The stampede of actors making their way from screen to stage continues with Natalie Dormer's return to the boards as the lead, tragic figure in Leo Tolstoy's story of one aristocratic unhappy family.

- Arifa Akbar

The stampede of actors making their way from screen to stage continues with Natalie Dormer's return to the boards as the lead, tragic figure in Leo Tolstoy's story of one aristocratic unhappy family. She is exceptional in the part of Anna, inhabiting the boldness, insecurity and anger of the discontented wife seeking her freedom through romantic passion.

But there is little chemistry in her relationship with Vronsky (Seamus Dillane) - the rakish military man for whom she leaves her loveless marriage - and he is a non-character, left uncoloured. Phillip Breen's adaptation of the novel is, however, always original, without playing fast and loose. There is an inspired use of music, especially in the sound of a weeping or skittering violin.