Very exciting for us to see this work for the first time ( apart from maybe the movie many years ago ) and in a new ( to us ) venue of the Empty Space Theatre, at the back of the Media City complex in Salford.
This is and Elysium Theatre Company production for the 70th anniversary of O’Neill’s autobiographical work, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest American plays ever written, and certainly one of the best written on addiction.
The production is touring for 3 weeks until 30th May and continues to Yarm, Barnard Castle, Sunderland, York and Lancaster.
This is a 4 part story set in Connecticut in 1912 and spans one day in the life of a family staying in their Summer holiday home, 2 parents and 2 sons.
The sons are a lively and close pair, though one of them is in ill health. The Father has previously been an actor and is now a property owner. He is a large presence in the family and drinks heavily. The Mother is a vague and seemingly disconnected character who feels lonely most of the time and doesn’t enjoy holidaying in the isolated place with unpredictable foggy conditions at times.
We slowly start to see the relationships and find out the history behind the characters.
The older son, Jamie ( Danny Solomon ) is a party hard individual who his parents disapprove of intensely. He was played with much energy and his pent up anger spills out frequently, quite a marvel to see how the intensity was maintained throughout.
The younger son Edmund ( Daniel Bradford ) is influenced greatly by his brother, but his failing health is causing him to be more introspective, again played so well and with sensitivity.
Mother, Mary ( played ‘on book’ by Joyce Branagh due to unforeseen circumstances) was played beautifully and we marvelled at how seamless the performance was, considering Joyce had the script in hand all the way through. You really didn’t notice at all. Superb performance of loneliness, regret, loss, addiction and vulnerability.
The scene where she reveals the historical background which led to her addiction was incredibly tragic and powerful.
Father, James ( Edmund Dehn ) was also a powerhouse of emotions from anger at his seemingly feckless sons, frustration at the return of his wife’s addiction behaviour and despair at her decline.
The family housekeeper, Cathleen ( Macy Stasiak, in her adult professional theatre debut ) was a welcome relief of cheekiness and charm with her seeming innocence of the tragic family struggles.
Watching the family recognise the all too familiar pattern of behaviour of addiction in Mary was an emotional and uncomfortable experience for the audience.
The frustration and conflicting emotions coming alongside that were brilliantly played. The genuine love shown between the 2 parents and the 2 brothers was most touching.
There was utter silence and stillness in the audience the whole way through, which was a testament to the power of all the performances.
A great and watchable performance and a quality production, well done to all. Highly recommended.Thank you to staff at The Empty Space theatre Salford, a warm welcome and a really lovely comfortable arts space.
Christine Ince for Canal St Media
The production is touring for 3 weeks until 30th May and continues to Yarm, Barnard Castle, Sunderland, York and Lancaster.
This is a 4 part story set in Connecticut in 1912 and spans one day in the life of a family staying in their Summer holiday home, 2 parents and 2 sons.
The sons are a lively and close pair, though one of them is in ill health. The Father has previously been an actor and is now a property owner. He is a large presence in the family and drinks heavily. The Mother is a vague and seemingly disconnected character who feels lonely most of the time and doesn’t enjoy holidaying in the isolated place with unpredictable foggy conditions at times.
We slowly start to see the relationships and find out the history behind the characters.
The older son, Jamie ( Danny Solomon ) is a party hard individual who his parents disapprove of intensely. He was played with much energy and his pent up anger spills out frequently, quite a marvel to see how the intensity was maintained throughout.
The younger son Edmund ( Daniel Bradford ) is influenced greatly by his brother, but his failing health is causing him to be more introspective, again played so well and with sensitivity.
Mother, Mary ( played ‘on book’ by Joyce Branagh due to unforeseen circumstances) was played beautifully and we marvelled at how seamless the performance was, considering Joyce had the script in hand all the way through. You really didn’t notice at all. Superb performance of loneliness, regret, loss, addiction and vulnerability.
The scene where she reveals the historical background which led to her addiction was incredibly tragic and powerful.
Father, James ( Edmund Dehn ) was also a powerhouse of emotions from anger at his seemingly feckless sons, frustration at the return of his wife’s addiction behaviour and despair at her decline.
The family housekeeper, Cathleen ( Macy Stasiak, in her adult professional theatre debut ) was a welcome relief of cheekiness and charm with her seeming innocence of the tragic family struggles.
Watching the family recognise the all too familiar pattern of behaviour of addiction in Mary was an emotional and uncomfortable experience for the audience.
The frustration and conflicting emotions coming alongside that were brilliantly played. The genuine love shown between the 2 parents and the 2 brothers was most touching.
There was utter silence and stillness in the audience the whole way through, which was a testament to the power of all the performances.
A great and watchable performance and a quality production, well done to all. Highly recommended.Thank you to staff at The Empty Space theatre Salford, a warm welcome and a really lovely comfortable arts space.
Christine Ince for Canal St Media