Tag Archives: Molly Knox

HEAVEN

★★★★

Traverse Theatre

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HEAVEN

Traverse Theatre

★★★★

“Both actors bring an electrifyingly defiant and liberating performance to the stage”

Heaven is a masterfully executed piece of theatre. Centring around the relationship between a wife and husband (Mairead and Mal) of twenty or so years, reckoning with their future and attending a wedding whilst doing so. The pair separately explore whirlwinds of their own mid-life crises and flirt with what life has and has had to offer them.

Set in the Irish midlands, the play teems with vivid storytelling that transports audiences to the spaces it travels through. From cheesy wedding dancefloors in local hotels, to the high streets Mairead and Mal know so intimately, Eugene O’Brien’s writing elegantly moves the audience through these character’s lives as they hurtle out of control in clashing ways. O’Brien’s writing entangles gorgeously with Jim Culleton’s direction which see saws focus between the couple. Though not always on board with the Mairead and Mal’s choices, the audience can’t help but lean in to hear what will happen next. From the moment the house lights and Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ fade down, and we are confronted with Mairead’s matter of fact-ness and bubbling dissatisfaction, the audience hangs on Janet Moran’s (Mairead) every pause, breath, and word.

Moran and Andrew Bennett’s (Mal) chemistry intriguingly transcend the two ever having to share a glance or direct dialogue with one another. As they battle with their struggling marriage, their disconnect is made crystal clear through this brilliant piece of direction and writing. It is a shame, however, that not more of this chemistry between the two is utilised with even a smidge more interaction between the two. Moments where their monologues lead on from one another are some of the comedic highlights of the piece. Between monologues, Zia Bergin-Holly’s lighting and set design perfectly move the action where it needs to go- beautifully utilising the glow from inside a pub or under a streetlight to shift between the two characters to new ideas, motives and spaces. I would be keen to see how the full use of the depth of stage could enhance this play further.

Though the piece is certainly enjoyable and intriguing, much of it begs the question of what it wants the audience to take from it. The precision of this answer, at times, feels lacking. Mal’s journey of exploring his sexuality coupled with, shall we say, fascination with religious icons, marks a grappling with Mal’s key conflict. This aspect of the play is tenderly explored, as well as played for laughs. The balance between the comedic and serious considerations of Mal’s relationship to Jesus, could perhaps be deserving of greater plainness. It is hard for audiences to discern where the laughter of the situation’s absurdity stops and the pity of it all begins.

Both actors bring an electrifyingly defiant and liberating performance to the stage, commanding the play’s language and pacing deftly. Whilst Heaven is unafraid to sit in the quiet and uncomfortable moments of the story, it similarly moves with ferociously enjoyable speed through its hilariously awkward and quick moving plot points. Bennett’s entire sequence through the wedding as he is faced with cross-roads and upheavals in his own sense of self, is a privilege to watch. Furthermore, Moran’s comedy acting brushed again her truly saddening reflections on the state of her relationships and purpose in life showcase her depth of character and strength as an actor.

The light and shade of this play is extraordinarily out of this world. Heaven suggests what we mean to each other and ourselves in our relationships, and where to go from rock bottom; it speaks to a raw and flawed humanity in its characters that simply cannot be bottled.



HEAVEN

Traverse Theatre

Reviewed on 26th February 2025

by Molly Knox

Photography by Ste Murray

 


 

Previously reviewed by Molly:

PRESENT | ★★★★ | December 2024
GWYNETH GOES SKIING | ★★★★ | November 2024
ST MAUD | ★★★ | October 2024
MAISIE ADAM: APPRAISAL | ★★★★ | October 2024
IS THE WI-FI GOOD IN HELL? | ★★★★★ | August 2024
MY MOTHER’S FUNERAL:THE SHOW | ★★★★★ | August 2024
CRYING SHAME | ★★★★★ | August 2024
TIT SWINGERS | ★★★★ | August 2024

 

HEAVEN

HEAVEN

HEAVEN

PRESENT

★★★★

Live Theatre

Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , ,

PRESENT

Live Theatre

★★★★

“Abundant with beauty, community, and feeling”

‘Present’ at the Live Theatre is a moving festive production exploring estrangement, alcoholism and homelessness. The story follows Dave, a man struggling with addiction and homelessness amongst the backdrop of the days leading up to Christmas. He is a grandad to Albert; a boy Dave is desperate to be a good ‘Grandfather Christmas’ for this year.

Presenting this touching story, Alphabetti in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight, capture both a solemn desperation and tenderness as the piece untangles the knots of Dave’s life. As the audience are brought into the idiosyncrasies, internal battles, and difficulties in this character’s life, the piece does well to tug on heartstrings with nuance and care, as well as stir comfort and warmth in the humour of Malcolm Shields’ talent of physical comedy. One highlight of the piece is Sheilds’ energetic car-washing, as well as his great ability to carry momentum through as an individual actor. As Dave encounters other characters as he struggles to fulfil his mission of buying a Christmas present for his grandson, Shields’ interactions feel genuine and fluid. Ali Pritchard and Tamsin Rees’ direction and dramaturgy bring to life a difficult story and shed light on Dave’s inner monologue in a measured and thoughtful way.

Ceitidh Mac’s live music is another strength of ‘Present’. Throughout the piece, we are treated to careful and stirring cello and vocal renditions of pop songs, alongside atmospheric Christmas carol turned ballads. Mac’s use of loop pedal with strings and voice burst with precision and tenderness and match the tone of Ali Pritchard’s poignant yet charmingly tongue-in-cheek direction and writing. Mac and Shields’ warmth also earn a well-timed sing-along that even the grinchiest in the room can’t turn down.

Admittedly, there are places where dialogue feels slightly circular and pacing could be sped slightly. Where Sheilds writes physically on props or wrap, it could be more engaging for some prop and set pieces to be more “here’s-one-I-made-earlier” than created in real time. Mac’s musical underscoring does work to build the atmosphere in these moments; however, it is a shame that some dramatic tension is lost in lingering scene transitions.

Molly Barrett’s design and Drummond Orr’s lighting design are simply magical, creating a sense of precise time of year and winter weather so wonderfully; the audience can almost imagine their breath steam in front of them. As projections of passers-by spectrally shimmer over Shields, his isolation is captured stunningly. Similarly, the separation of Mac on a higher platform above the street, contrasting with Shields performing in an empty space accompanied by a bin, a bench, and a bottle (with a dusting of fake snow) creates a further isolation for Dave as he dredges through past and present trauma.

A funny, festive and introspective production, ‘Present’ is a palate cleanser of a piece this December. Abundant with beauty, community, and feeling, ‘Present’ is an evocative, accessible and urgent piece to catch this December.

 


PRESENT at Live Theatre

Reviewed on 10th December 2024

by Molly Knox

Photography by Matt Jamie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

GWYNETH GOES SKIING | ★★★★ | November 2024
ST MAUD | ★★★ | October 2024

PRESENT

PRESENT

 

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