The play opens backstage with the lovers flirting beside a prop cage and the knives are wooden — until they become steel. As the play continues, it opens up with costumes and set designs appearing effortlessly.
“It was going to be impossible and maybe not that interesting to try and create cinematic realism because we can’t shoot outdoors and we only have one location really and it’s a stage,” said O’Connor. “So initially it was like, ‘Well, let’s not shy away from the fact that we are on a stage. Let’s celebrate that.’”
The retelling is directed by Simon Godwin and reconceived by writer Emily Burns for the screen. It was shot over 17 days in December at the National's Lyttelton theater. PBS' “Great Performances” will air it Friday.