Beautifully poignant and a heart-wrenchingly raw performance
Fishshamble: the new play company, Olivier winner and quadruple time Fringe First company presents “Heaven” by Eugene O Brien directed by Jim Culleton and designed by Zia Bergin- Holly.
We join characters Mal and Mairead on a journey through their past with poignant care as they relive moments in time with the ever persistent question of what if? What would my life have been if I had done something different? As they get ready and attend a family wedding they effectively retell stories represenitng other members of the wedding party with humour and nicknames. Whilst Mairead a social worker with a feisty temperament and lust for fun speaks warmly and kindly of her husband of 30 years Mal contradicts her account as something nothing short of companionship only. “Heaven” transports us through their inner most desires and regrets. Moments which they wish to relive and retell with great energy and honesty. Both actors embrace their role as a story teller with a pace that’s in keeping with the writings rhythm and beat throughout. The audience work as a sound board for the inner truth to both by listening as they reflect over their life choices contextualising how it has lead them to a place they are now after 30 years of marriage. One that is more comfortable and tradtional of their generational views and expectations.With continued direct address the play is delivered as two continous monologues operating side by side painting the picture of the locations and spaces they are in. Cleverly written the stories are interwoven, eloquent and stylish. O’Brein holds suspense at times with great joy and sadness across all parts of the narrative. Janet Moran (Mairead) sets the scene at the beginning describing a place at the height of deprivation and neglect with some structures simply frozen in time in this provincial town in the Irish midlands. Morans’ reflections are delivered with pathos and humour. She is loose liped about her life delivering with blunt honesty about herself and others with great comedic timing partnered with a real sense of loss. Holding the audience at times in the palm of her hand creating one of the most poignant and sad moments of the entire piece as the performance reaches it conclusion. Andrew Bennet (Mal) equally holds court and his delivery is both raw and comedic. There is great versatility in his performance as he paints a picture of relgious opression going hand in hand with personal desires which are incredibly humourous. Both Bennet and Moran are masters of their characters and deliver their stroies with exceptional timing.
Designer Zia Bergin-Holly achieves effective and well chosen lighting in it’s simplest form and the slight changes in brightness allow us to transition from car to pub to outdoor scenes effortlessly. Director Jim Culleton keeps the set minimal and in keeping with descriptions given throughout the dialogue showing the outside of a street corner authentically set off by a lampost which at key points adds a sense of isolation in that moment.
Overall this one act play running 90 minutes is a heart warming tale, a reflective journey of relatable ideals we have with both characters as they explore the road less travelled and work out if the grass is truly greener on the other side. A slightly abrupt ending certianly left me wanting to know more about the characters however this effectively leaves the audience reflecting and asking quesitons which is never a bad thing. Make sure you catch it at the Traverse this week.