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Exploiting the intimacy of the smaller auditoria on the Park Theatre, set designer Kit Hinchcliffe has created an ideal setting by which to underscore the menace that lies on the centre of Leaves of Glass. Set within the spherical, the 4 actors transfer out and in of the darkish efficiency area which is marked solely by inlaid ground lighting. Their proximity to the viewers each when performing, and when coming into and leaving, reinforces the claustrophobia of a household setting, creating a definite sense of unease. Steven, performed outstandingly by Ned Costello, is the eldest of the 2 brothers. The…
Rating
Excellent
A fraught and extremely charged drama that unpicks the fragility of reminiscence and storytelling with horrific penalties for these on the unsuitable finish of the “truth”.
Exploiting the intimacy of the smaller auditoria on the Park Theatre, set designer Kit Hinchcliffe has created an ideal setting by which to underscore the menace that lies on the centre of Leaves of Glass. Set within the spherical, the 4 actors transfer out and in of the darkish efficiency area which is marked solely by inlaid ground lighting. Their proximity to the viewers each when performing, and when coming into and leaving, reinforces the claustrophobia of a household setting, creating a definite sense of unease.
Steven, performed outstandingly by Ned Costello, is the eldest of the 2 brothers. The strongest of the 4 performances, there’s a fixed edge to him. It feels as if he’s holding one thing in: like a caged animal, there’s unspent power, barely managed however simply beneath the floor ready to erupt. He’s the eldest by 5 years and has saved the household collectively all through earlier trauma. The inference is that when he divulges his tales and reminiscences, they’re correct, and due to this fact to be believed. By distinction, his youthful brother Barry is risky and troublesome. A recovering alcoholic, his anxiousness and psychological well being points counsel an unreliability of reminiscence. In one other robust efficiency Joseph Potter encapsulates that volatility of psychological well being, bodily leaping in regards to the stage, at instances harming himself and doubtlessly others, he’s at all times on the sting of extremes: delirious with potential and pleasure or within the depths of anguish. The relationship between the 2 brothers is completely on level: a fraternal co-dependence which facilitates each help and jealousy.
Liz, the boys’ mom (Kacey Ainsworth) and Debbie (Katie Buchholz), Steven’s spouse, have their very own interpretation of occasions too after all. Whilst taking part in supporting roles they nonetheless add to the fluidity of accuracy and expectation. The absence of a father is marked but it surely takes a while and a number of other accounts for the viewers to surmise what has occurred.
The play is damaged into quick fragments of efficiency, after which blackout permits the actors to depart and enter the stage accordingly. Reinforcing the fragmentation of reminiscence it really works, however the fixed shifting of props on and off stage by the actors is pointless and disrupts the circulation. In such a efficiently minimal setting lots of the props are pointless, save for the candelabra which when lit showcases essentially the most dramatic and prolonged dialog between the 2 brothers. This finally results in a stunning revelation and betrayal which, regardless of hints alongside the way in which, continues to be sudden.
The dialogue itself is fractious and disturbing. I discovered it irritating in the way in which that listening to loud dialog the place nobody listens to anybody, or picks up on the unreliability of the narrative is. But that’s the purpose, isn’t it? When we don’t pay attention to one another, and even take into account the reality of a story, the results could be extremely damaging.
Leaves of Glass, by Philip Ridley, is a dextrous and ever fluid exploration of the reliability of non-public reminiscence and the way our tales transfer and reshape over years. The household dynamic and a need to current a palpable and forgiving narrative looking back imply that tales are advised and retold, every time with a delicate change that may utterly transpose the hero of the hour. It is each fascinating and horrifying to look at the results of that because the sharing of a reminiscence manipulates actuality to remodel the steadiness of energy. Like leaves made from glass, the veneer of fact is definitely shattered.
Written by: Philip Ridley
Directed by: Max Harrison
Produced by: Lidless Theatre and Zoe Weldon
Set & Costume Design by: Kit Hinchcliffe
You can learn extra about this play in our latest interview with Joseph Potter right here.
Leaves of Glass performs at Park Theatre till 3 June. Bookings and additional info could be discovered right here.
The present additionally play at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford 15 – 17 June and Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester 10 – 16 July.
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