Formed by the merger of The Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company, HOME is designed to “redefine the contemporary arts centre” with theatres, cinemas, galleries, broadcast facilities, as well as a bar and restaurants. It’s just part of the amazing 20 acre First Street North development of our Mancunian city centre, and the scale and scope of it is undeniable as you approach. It sits across the way from the old Hacienda buildings and I can’t help but hum myself a little Manchestar- Tra-La-La as I trot by; it’s going to be a good one, people!
However, until its doors officially open, HOME has been successfully staging productions across the city in new and unusual spaces. On this occasion David Greig’s daring play is set in a rather stark commercial space within the First Street development. The Events deals with forgiveness in the face of inexplicable cruelty and the process of grief and healing.
The story is told using an ornately woven set of interlocking vignettes remarkable in their complexity considering the tiny cast of two. Greig’s writing offers up a masterclass in perspective and dialogue and balances some weighty subject matter with gentle humour and a sharp understanding of human nature.
The stark setting and lack of props focusses all attention on the performances of Derbhle Crotty as Claire and Clifford Samuel as The Boy and every other main character. Magnus Gilljam is also on stage as the pianist but, whilst his role and the uplifting musical score is intrinsic to the drama, he works hard to remain a part of the backdrop and manage the supporting choir. With a different local choir each evening he’ll certainly be busy!
Crotty’s Claire is an instantly likeable, kindhearted and practical vicar coming to terms with surviving an atrocity perpetrated by Samuel’s ‘empathy impaired’ boy. Samuel deftly switches from character to character with a lightness that belies the definition he brings to each; from alcoholic father to lesbian-lover and back to The Boy as Claire desperately explores The Boy’s past in an attempt to make sense of his actions. The dialogue flows naturally and Crotty’s generous performance allows you to positively empathise with Claire’s journey through rage, revenge, isolation, understanding and eventually into healing.
It was the SHE Choir who sang beautifully on press night. They got to feature in the play much more than I expected, providing the role of a wider society, an audience to the atrocity. Reading from scripts there’s no attempt to ‘act them up’ which added another layer of interest that I really enjoyed. Real people with real frowns and squirms of discomfort (or suppressed giggles) as Claire asks for their help to perform a shamanic healing ritual!
I loved this thought provoking and touching play. It managed to be both powerful and light and its intricacies were performed with an effortless impression of simplicity. It all bodes well for the future of HOME. A must see.
The Events runs until 25th October. For tickets and information, click here.
Image credit – David Levine