Review: Kindling, Park Theatre

If you brought all your closest friends together, would they get along? Or would it expose the things you have said behind people’s backs? This is the premise of Kindling, where five women are united via a camping trip to scatter their mutual friend’s ashes.

Each of the five characters, as well as being people in their own right, represent an aspect of Mei, their absent friend. They come from different stages in her life – childhood, university, work, and parenting – and represent different parts of her personality. These contradicting aspects vie with each other, falling out and coming together during the trip.

The tone of Kindling moves between drama and comedy. There are ridiculous moments, such as one friend, Jasmin, being wholly unprepared for camping, and another, Rose, forgetting everything that is important. Through the arguments and bonding that alcohol brings there are both intense conflict and hilarious moments as the characters open up to each other about their lives and their relationship with Mei; including the nasty things she has said to each about the others behind their backs.

There is serious drama as the characters are developed, but this does not distract from the moments of humour. Affairs and unhappiness are exposed. They discuss menopause, children and partners. Women of this age are rarely the main characters of stories, and it is refreshing to see their lives and friendship dynamics explored.

Their costumes convey the type of people they are, from Jasmin wearing an expensive coat and boots with heels for a camping trip, to Rose’s slightly dishevelled appearance, to hippy Cathy in her dungarees and the abrupt Sue in her practical, no-nonsense outdoor wear. The set is also beautifully designed, conveying the sense of a dense forest with dirt, leaves, tree stumps and a background that gave depth to the scene. Outside environments are more difficult to realistically recreate inside, on stage, but here the forest scene is effectively conjured.

Kindling is a detailed exploration of Mei, who they all deeply love, but who was also a difficult and at times unpleasant friend, giving the characters nasty nicknames or betraying their trust. The drama feels believable and realistic, without spilling over into melodrama. There are arguments and confrontations, but also new friendships are formed, and difficult memories are exorcised.

The characters are broadly drawn and distinctive, but not very complex. The most complex and interesting character is Mei, who has many aspects to her personality. The other five only seem to have one aspect – that of the friend that they represent. The finale has pathos as the characters read a letter from Mei, but it is also anti-climactic as there are no grand resolutions. The drama feels realistic, but real life lacks emotional impact.

Kindling is a moving portrait of friendship with a life-affirming ending. It shows the contrasting facets that we all have when we are seen from different angles, and how the people who share our lives represent different aspects of ourselves.

Cast: Scarlett Alice Johnson, Stacy Abalogun, Ciara Pouncett, Rendah Beshoori, Sarah Rickman, Eugenia Low

Written by Sarah Rickman
Directed by Emma Gersch

Kindling plays at Park Theatre until Saturday 15 November.