The House They Grew Up In (Chichester)
Aug 1, 2017 6:41:12 GMT
mallardo, rumbledoll, and 4 more like this
Post by David J on Aug 1, 2017 6:41:12 GMT
Finally, something really good to come out of this year's Chichester season. Went to see this and the post-show talk with the cast and Jeremy Herrin
Deborah Bruce's new play about these two socially isolated siblings, Peppy and Daniel, living in a house full to the brim of the things they hoard. They feel safe from the outside world until this boy from next door starts visiting, and when he decides to come round in the middle of the night and sit with Daniel things take a turn for the worst
The best thing about this play is the psychology between this these two recluses. Deborah Bruce was inspired by two similar people she saw in a cafe and she related how she likes to observe how people talk and interact. Which is no surprise given how well written the dialogue is in this. The play is a slow burner, especially for the first half, but you are absorbed watching these people.
All the critics have picked up on how these two characters have learning disabilities. The funny thing is that is what Samantha Spiro and Daniel Ryan brought to the characters. Deborah Bruce only focused on the secluded aspect, whilst the two actors brought a whole different level to the characters.
As someone on the spectrum, I could really sympathize with Daniel Ryan as the autistic brother and how his interactions with the child could easily get misinterpreted. It's a play about how people can misunderstand those with a learning difficulty, and during the first act the tension slowly ratchet up as red flag after red flag popped up
And as horrible as it may be, when the police get involved you can relate to their point of view. Deborah Bruce herself said how they did the right thing with what they had to go with
Samantha Spiro gives a masterclass performance here. Endlessly talking, twitchy, scuttling around the place, trying to look after her brother. She brings moments of absolute tragedy as she calls for her cat she can't find, talking about their uncle who won't call them, and how she could have stayed at Cambridge University instead of looking after Daniel. She gives a heart-rendering performance during the second act.
After that the play does end on a hopeful note. It was what Deborah Bruce intended from the get go and after mulling it over I agree with it. My only problem with that is that it is another 10 minutes on what is already a long play that comes right after such an emotionally exhausting scene.
Also the play has to transition to the childs home which makes for a clunky scene change on what is already a cluttered set in the Minerva. The mother who appears for a few scenes felt a bit two dimensional for my liking.
But on the whole this is one of my favourite plays of the year and it is such a shame that this is on till the end of the week. Go and see this if you can
Deborah Bruce's new play about these two socially isolated siblings, Peppy and Daniel, living in a house full to the brim of the things they hoard. They feel safe from the outside world until this boy from next door starts visiting, and when he decides to come round in the middle of the night and sit with Daniel things take a turn for the worst
The best thing about this play is the psychology between this these two recluses. Deborah Bruce was inspired by two similar people she saw in a cafe and she related how she likes to observe how people talk and interact. Which is no surprise given how well written the dialogue is in this. The play is a slow burner, especially for the first half, but you are absorbed watching these people.
All the critics have picked up on how these two characters have learning disabilities. The funny thing is that is what Samantha Spiro and Daniel Ryan brought to the characters. Deborah Bruce only focused on the secluded aspect, whilst the two actors brought a whole different level to the characters.
As someone on the spectrum, I could really sympathize with Daniel Ryan as the autistic brother and how his interactions with the child could easily get misinterpreted. It's a play about how people can misunderstand those with a learning difficulty, and during the first act the tension slowly ratchet up as red flag after red flag popped up
And as horrible as it may be, when the police get involved you can relate to their point of view. Deborah Bruce herself said how they did the right thing with what they had to go with
Samantha Spiro gives a masterclass performance here. Endlessly talking, twitchy, scuttling around the place, trying to look after her brother. She brings moments of absolute tragedy as she calls for her cat she can't find, talking about their uncle who won't call them, and how she could have stayed at Cambridge University instead of looking after Daniel. She gives a heart-rendering performance during the second act.
After that the play does end on a hopeful note. It was what Deborah Bruce intended from the get go and after mulling it over I agree with it. My only problem with that is that it is another 10 minutes on what is already a long play that comes right after such an emotionally exhausting scene.
Also the play has to transition to the childs home which makes for a clunky scene change on what is already a cluttered set in the Minerva. The mother who appears for a few scenes felt a bit two dimensional for my liking.
But on the whole this is one of my favourite plays of the year and it is such a shame that this is on till the end of the week. Go and see this if you can
