FIREBIRD

King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“a beautifully told love story”

Firebird by Richard Hough tells the story of Sergey Fetisov during the 1970s in occupied Estonia, and how he fell in love with fighter pilot Roman Matvejev. Due to homophobic attitudes in the soviet regime – still present today – they’re ability to keep their love secret is challenging and ends up splitting Roman and Sergey’s life into pieces.

Hough succeeds in adapting the previously made screenplay of the same name of this story into a well crafted and succinct 90 minute stage play. The pacing of the action is good and doesn’t linger on any unnecessary details. Immediately introducing the three central characters via a play boxing fight before a radio recording of the news at the time, established both the key points of the characters’ relationship dynamics, as well as the context of the time period. Despite the play being based on Sergey’s memoir; Roman was framed as the central character – depicting how he was likely central to Sergey’s life. Roman follows Sergey through his life throughout the story, but it is always Roman who leads the way. Robert Eades plays Roman with an incredible sense of optimism wrapped around a straight backed matter-of-fact and blunt approach. This contrasts with Theo Walker’s Sergey, who is often nervous and confused, yet innately curious and controversial. I did find I often struggled to see romantic or sexual chemistry from the pair. The initial kiss felt stiff and out of nowhere due to not seeing any flirting or hints to their attraction previously. In the end, however, their love is believable and creates some wonderfully touching moments.

Another key component in Roman’s wild affairs is Luisa Jannsen, played by Sorcha Kennedy. Kennedy is incredibly engaging in her performance, I was often drawn closely to her eyes and found a whole world of truth and emotion deep within them. Nigel Hastings also stands out as Colonel Alexei Kuznestov, with excellent focus, poignant intention and a flare with the rhythm of the text. All are complemented by Owen Lewis’ direction which manages to make an intimate staging feel massive with an incredible use of space, that manages to glide through different locations and times with ease. Clancy Flynn’s lighting design must also be praised at this point, often fading between warm or cool tones to indicate different locations based on their atmospheric tone. There was also one sequence where various colourful lights were used to portray fireworks, which then quickly transitioned to an explosion. A subtle yet effective portrayal of the events moving forward. The same can be said of Gregor Donnelly’s design, with the use of a simple set that leaves the stage pretty much bare asides a few pieces of furniture: two stage-like wooden blocks, a few chairs, a desk. All of which are transported throughout the piece as and when needed, achieving the same goal of making the intimate staging feel larger than it is.

Overall, Firebird is a beautifully told love story that shows how happiness can be found in human connection in spite of all the challenges put against it.

FIREBIRD

King’s Head Theatre

Reviewed on 21st January 2025

by David Robinson

Photography by Geraint Lewis

Previously reviewed at this venue:

LADY MONTAGU UNVEILED | ★★★ | December 2024

HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR MOTHER | ★★★ | October 2024

TWO COME HOME | ★★★★★ | August 2024

THE PINK LIST | ★★★★ | August 2024

ENG-ER-LAND | ★★★ | July 2024

DIVA: LIVE FROM HELL! | ★★★★ | June 2024

BEATS | ★★★ | April 2024

BREEDING | ★★★★ | March 2024

TURNING THE SCREW | ★★★★ | February 2024

EXHIBITIONISTS | ★★ | January 2024

FIREBIRD

★★★★

“McStay’s dialogue is electric”

Breeding succeeds in finding a rare balance of sparky wit and thought-provoking poignancy.

It follows a gay couple as they navigate the steps in the adoption process. It’s a three hander – charming, flirty Zeb (Dan Nicholson) kind, anxious Eoin (Barry McStay, who’s also the writer) and their social worker (Nemide May) who becomes far more tangled in this couple’s life, than any of them expected.

It’s slickly directed by Tom Ratcliffe. Short snappy scenes are punctuated with upbeat music and smartly rearranged colourful blocks.

McStay’s dialogue is electric, cleverly painting the nuanced dynamics between the couple and their respective views on fatherhood. For me, the ending was too neat, and there were a couple of moments which felt particularly convenient, but the strength of the characters pulls through these slightly obvious beats.

“Nicholson shines as Zeb and the chemistry between him and McStay is delightful.”

The play is informative about the adoption process, emphasising the shocking levels of scrutiny potential parents are put under. It steers clear of feeling didactic but is an interesting insight for those who aren’t aware of the intensity of the process.

Nicholson shines as Zeb and the chemistry between him and McStay is delightful. They are fully realised, complex characters whose relationship feels truthful and compelling. May is strong as Beth, though it is a difficult part, as so much of her role is facilitating the drama, not being at the centre of it.

Ruby Law’s set is fun and clever. The wall is painted in block primary colours, with pages from the adoption workbook printed onto them. Three of the coloured blocks, which make up the movable set, have light up neon numbers – helping to clarify each of the three stages of the adoption process. It’s well thought out and joyous, with a sharp undertone – in keeping with the play itself.

This was my first visit to the new King’s Head venue, which opened earlier this year and is a far cry from the familiar back of the pub space which we all knew and loved. This is a more sterile, glossy theatre, but crucially with a larger, more versatile performance space. If Breeding is anything to go by, it marks an exciting new era for the space and I look forward to seeing what else is coming up.

FIREBIRD

King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“a beautifully told love story”

FIREBIRD

King’s Head Theatre

Reviewed on 21st January 2025

by David Robinson

Photography by Geraint Lewis

Previously reviewed at this venue:

FIREBIRD

FIREBIRD

FIREBIRD

BREEDING at the King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“McStay’s dialogue is electric”

“Nicholson shines as Zeb and the chemistry between him and McStay is delightful.”

BREEDING at the King’s Head Theatre

Reviewed on 25th March 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Ed Rees

Previously reviewed at this venue:

BREEDING

BREEDING