The Darkest Part of The Night - Kiln Theatre
Jul 19, 2022 23:08:43 GMT
theglenbucklaird and Dave B like this
Post by david on Jul 19, 2022 23:08:43 GMT
Having been at tonight’s show which was the penultimate preview. I had a £15 stalls seat (B1 via a TT offer) With a run time of around 2hrs 20 minutes (including interval) this play tells the story of a Leeds family from both the 1980s and present day weaving the two time strands together as the story looks at the two children’s (Shirley and Dwight) upbringing and their parents struggles at a time of racial discrimination, police brutality and poverty.
Watching this play it certainly took a while to get into it as the two time periods flip back and forth during the play and the cast of 6 playing multiple roles, once I had got my head around these issues, I actually had a nice time watching it. I didn’t come away loving it, but I certainly didn’t think I had wasted my time or money making my way on a very warm evening up to Kilburn by the end of the play.
The key issue that is examined in playwright Zodwa Nyoni’s work (who had previously written Nine Lives which was staged at the Bridge theatre as part of their talking heads monologue season) is a look at autism and it’s impact on family life at time when both medical science and the wider society was beginning to understand what it was back in the 1980s. I certainly felt the subject matter was handled sensitively and enough information given to get a good understanding of the challenges faced by parents with a condition that at the time was only being recognised. I must admit watching it I couldn’t help but make comparisons to “The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time” which covers similar themes.
As a family drama, I would say that the writing of the different family members here is much stronger than that in “Mad House” in the WE. In this play the characters felt more real and believable and as an audience member make more of an emotional connection with than with the characters in “Mad House”. I think this is also in part to the casts acting. Whilst having some nice comedy moments, for me there is more depth with the writing and actually gives you something to think about and chew over with the subject material.
I couldn’t really fault any of the cast tonight. All did well with the material and I didn’t have any issues hearing what they were saying on stage.
I selected B1 if the stalls for this show as I had previously sat here for “Snowflake” and didn’t have any issues, however for this production (mainly in Act 1) the way the stage is set and the use of a revolve meant that at times my sight line was blocked by a large chair or piece if furniture which meant that sometimes during parts of scenes where 2 people were talking I could only see 1 person. If I had been sat more centrally or picked a higher seat number, I’m sure this wouldn’t of been an issue. I would say that the higher seat numbers are probably better for this show. This wasn’t a major issue for me but something for others to be aware if if booking for this show.
For any programme collectors, the programme on offer is the playtext / cast bio one and is £6.
Watching this play it certainly took a while to get into it as the two time periods flip back and forth during the play and the cast of 6 playing multiple roles, once I had got my head around these issues, I actually had a nice time watching it. I didn’t come away loving it, but I certainly didn’t think I had wasted my time or money making my way on a very warm evening up to Kilburn by the end of the play.
The key issue that is examined in playwright Zodwa Nyoni’s work (who had previously written Nine Lives which was staged at the Bridge theatre as part of their talking heads monologue season) is a look at autism and it’s impact on family life at time when both medical science and the wider society was beginning to understand what it was back in the 1980s. I certainly felt the subject matter was handled sensitively and enough information given to get a good understanding of the challenges faced by parents with a condition that at the time was only being recognised. I must admit watching it I couldn’t help but make comparisons to “The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time” which covers similar themes.
As a family drama, I would say that the writing of the different family members here is much stronger than that in “Mad House” in the WE. In this play the characters felt more real and believable and as an audience member make more of an emotional connection with than with the characters in “Mad House”. I think this is also in part to the casts acting. Whilst having some nice comedy moments, for me there is more depth with the writing and actually gives you something to think about and chew over with the subject material.
I couldn’t really fault any of the cast tonight. All did well with the material and I didn’t have any issues hearing what they were saying on stage.
I selected B1 if the stalls for this show as I had previously sat here for “Snowflake” and didn’t have any issues, however for this production (mainly in Act 1) the way the stage is set and the use of a revolve meant that at times my sight line was blocked by a large chair or piece if furniture which meant that sometimes during parts of scenes where 2 people were talking I could only see 1 person. If I had been sat more centrally or picked a higher seat number, I’m sure this wouldn’t of been an issue. I would say that the higher seat numbers are probably better for this show. This wasn’t a major issue for me but something for others to be aware if if booking for this show.
For any programme collectors, the programme on offer is the playtext / cast bio one and is £6.
