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Camden Fringe
A well-crafted dark comic drama on the interaction of three complex charactersSummary
Rating
Excellent
Blackheath is tightly focused on the relationship between two brothers. Mike (Andrew Hawley) has his well-organised world thrown into disarray when Eddie (Barney White) arrives to stay over, having returned to London after a year away. The personalities and rival dynamic of the brothers is very well established in their first interactions. Eddie has no job and appears aimless; he helps himself to Mike’s (expensive) whisky and then asks to borrow money off him. All whilst making passive aggressive probing about the value of the property and noting how the garden needs work. Mike is focused on his work as a fund manager and whilst he downplays the notion that he is well-off, proudly stating that he contributes to society through paying his taxes, he casually names an amount of tax which is more than most people’s annual income. Their sniping takes a more serious turn into friction due to Jo (Charlotte Brimble). Jo is Eddie’s oldest friend who is now living in the house as Mike’s partner, much to Eddie’s shock and hurt. Jo is a good balance of the two competing outlooks; she is as career focused as Mike but also shares Eddie’s good sense that life is for living.
As writer, Alex Bower, has created three dimensional and compelling characters, and the story constantly reveals deeper aspects of them. For all his issues, Eddie is very observant of the people and world around him, and he makes some very astute observations about the empty lives and hypocrisies of the others. Eddie mentions the sounds of wildlife which Mike has never noticed and amazes Jo as he tells her about the delights of a nearby forest which she has never visited. Whilst Mike appears to be happy and successful, with clear goals he is working towards, it is telling that he rarely speaks of doing anything outside his routine of work and exercise. There are also surprising revelations made about Jo’s past exploits.
As producer, Bower and director Hamish Clayton recognise that the engagement between the cast, their subtle shifts in expression and body language, is so compelling that few other props are required. The setting and focus remain with Eddie, Mike and Jo in the house; whilst they talk about other people they interact with and locations they visit, this all occurs off stage. Early on Eddie derides the décor as “meh and minimalist” which could do with livening up with some paintings or decorations. This is not just another of his put-downs to Mike but is also a clever way of acknowledging and explaining away the blank walls of the theatre. The set consists of a simple dining table for the cast to sit at and a sideboard full of drinks which is steadily depleted, usually by Eddie. Music and lighting are all used in aid of heightening the emotion on display, such as the increasing sound of heartbeats as the tension rises.
This is a fully engaging and thoughtful drama which is brilliantly brought to life by the cast. The story intriguing unveils more and more depth to the characters, with revelations which change the perception of which has the better outlook on how to achieve a fulfilling life. They learn from each other and so too does the audience.
Written and produced by: Alex Bower
Directed by: Hamish Clayton
Assistant director: Callum Sharp
Sound programming by: Anna Short
Composed by: Arthur Sawbridge
Blackheath plays at Old Red Lion Theatre until 10 August. Further information and bookings can be found here.
