Review - Enlightenment - Little Theatre

Enlightenment 

Little Theatre

24th April, 2023

Written by Shelagh Stephenson

Presented by The Progressive Players

Directed by Mark Buckley

It's difficult to say anything about the plot of Enlightenment without giving away too much. It is the story of a family, a mother, a step-father and a grandfather, coming to terms with the loss of their son. Adam went off backpacking around the world and has disappeared. Has he been the victim of a terrorist bombing, or a kidnapping, or just an unfortunate accident? No-one knows. Five months after his disappearance no body has been found, no ransom demands have been made, and there is no trace of their son. It is their journey to enlightenment, to finding a way to live with the loss. 

They are helped and hindered along the way by Joyce (Louise Wright), a medium, and Joanna (Elaine Watt), a TV documentary maker. Two very different characters with their own reasons for wanting to 'help'.  Joyce is a very gentle, calm voice trying to connect them to the essence of their son, but getting interference from other souls. Her softly spoken observations and questions bring a gentle humour to the play, but only a fleeting hope of solace for Lia (Eleanor Pullen), and are a source of exasperation for the cynical Nick (Kevin Thew). 

Joanna is brasher, more self serving as she persuades Lia, against her better judgement into doing a documentary about Adam. Joanna has her own agenda and her brashness is a good foil for Joyce's quiet presence. Interestingly the men are more taken with Joanna than they are with Joyce. Both Lia's father Gordon (Jim Race) and her husband Nick are quickly persuaded to the idea of the documentary. 

Then into the frame comes one other person whose presence will be the catalyst on their journey. The chaos he brings finally enables them to accept their situation. 

The play takes place almost exclusively in the home of Nick and Lia. The set is minimal, a desk at which Lia works on her research, a couple of chairs that are moved into position when needed, a projected back drop to give the 'feel' of the living space, and a small contraption (made by Adam) that fires tennis balls. 

This is a play of words and feelings rather than action. The challenge for the cast is to keep the audience engaged for almost an hour and a half with those words and feelings, and keep us they did!  And they did so in spite of a late replacement in the lead role, with Eleanor Pullen performing 'script in hand'. It's a testament to the quality of the production, and the skill of the actor, that after a while I barely noticed the book in her hand. 

In Enlightenment Shelagh Stephenson shines light on an impossible situation, unpicking the threads of a grief stricken family, yet she does so with sensitivity and humour, and though their loss remains, her characters do eventually find the means to accept it. It is at times difficult and raw, but it is also beautiful, and finally enlightening.  

It plays at The Little Theatre until Saturday 29th April. 

*image by Jenny Race

Denise Sparrowhawk

Live Encounter: Stewart Lee - Review - Live Theatre

Live Encounters: Stewart Lee 

Live Theatre

15th April, 2023

Live Theatre are running a series of "Live Encounters" as part of their 50th Anniversary celebrations. On Saturday it was the turn of comedian Stewart Lee, in conversation with Neil Jackson. 

Lee began with insight into King Rocker, a documentary he made about the singer Robert Lloyd, giving some interesting insights behind the scenes. He then talked about comedy as art, touching on the post punk scene where support acts were often performance poets or comedy acts, and included anecdotes from some of the people he has worked with over the years, such as Sean Hughes. He touched on panel shows (and how shit he was at them) and ended with questions from the audience, with thoughts about his current projects - he has another documentary idea in mind (about a house) which he is looking to fund. 

Lee effortlessly balanced belly-laughing humour with thought-provoking commentary on current issues. The chemistry between the two guests lead to some insightful questions and replies. The fascinating conversation, peppered with Lee's signature wit and sarcasm kept the audience engaged throughout. 

The intimate setting of Live Theatre was the perfect for this conversational event, allowing the audience to feel close to the artists and be fully immersed in the conversation - it felt at times as if there were only the three of us involved. The sound quality was excellent, with clear audio and minimal background noise which was especially important for the more serious moments. 

If there was a downside to the afternoon it was the live musical support - a kind of improv style jazz. Clearly very talented musicians but maybe not necessarily to everyone's taste. 

Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. It's fair to say Lee's sharp wit and intelligent observation made for a dynamic and entertaining experience left the audience wanting more.

It would be well worth checking out other events in the Live Encounters and  Live Readings series which are running as part of the Live 50 celebrations. 

Frank Cromartie Murphy