The dead look after the dead. Remember that phrase as you weave through four generations and seven family members’ stories in
There’s little to criticise in this award winning play by Andrew Bovell, though do pay attention from the start as you’ll need to remember every little detail when you get to the suspense and plot twists in the second half.
The description of the production as a story of “love, betrayal, abandonment, and ultimately, hope”; is an understatement. Although the “climate breakdown” mentioned in the blurb is a bit of a confusing one and potentially a metaphor lost on me, it didn’t matter because the rest of the story line was incredibly strong. Family drama and secrets unravel as you get to know each character and how their lives intertwine and the insanely clever repeated lines such as painting walls and fish being good for your brain are a nice touch to top it all off.
For me, the most poignant moment of the entire production is when Gabrielle Older and her husband Joe go through a particularly difficult time. It was the most captivating of all the scenes and really brought together an emotional juncture in the play. I can’t say more without ruining the play…
There are some other wonderful and inventive occasions using astute staging and props, such as the projector (I wish the family tree was printed in the programme though!) and ashes at the end. It’s very hard to review a show like this without spoiling the massive plot twist that left some members of the audience with their mouths wide open.
I was told by a man at the bar before the show started that I wouldn’t be disappointed, and he was right. I left with questions, a million thoughts, and my friend and I discussed it for hours afterwards - something every good play should achieve. As always, the Old Fire Station have brought a thought-provoking, well acted production to