An interesting and absorbing exploration of political issues, considering how ordinary people can make their voices heard.Rating
Good
The pub in question in Our Public House is symbolically called ‘The Albion’, an old name for England, and it is a microcosm for all people in all communities. The set perfectly captures the feel of a small local pub, with old round wooden tables, a dart board, wall lights, and photos on the wall. The muted colours and carpet are exactly right.
We learn that a by-election has been forced because the majority of voters in the area spoiled their ballots, and pub landlady, Sanjana, has started a speech club, encouraging her regulars to find the words to air their concerns and issues. Labour candidate, Mary, is impressed by the speech club and uses it as a vehicle for people to articulate what is most important to them. Creator and Director Josephine Burton has listened to themes and issues raised at workshops held across the nation and integrated them into the script, giving authenticity. Over 700 people wrote and performed speeches on matters they were passionate about, responding to the question “What can we do today to make tomorrow better?” Their words became the lyrics to the songs, written by Jonathan Walton.
The play is well written with absorbing character interaction. Bharti Patel convinces as Sanjana, the centre of the community, who is very supportive of her regulars, especially troubled Jo (Lauren Moakes). Her relationship with her daughter Anika (Chaya Gupta), though, is awkward, with underlying resentment.
Each speech is delivered in song, with clever lighting effects that give the impression of a performance venue rather than a pub, making the intimate Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse feel much bigger than it is. The actors perform with passion and energy, but the songs don’t all add to the narrative; they feel like an interruption, and in some cases are unconnected to the plot. For example, Scott (Fergus O’Donnell) sings angrily about bin-ridden streets and malodorous household waste yet never mentions this concern in any dialogue. We know the words came from the workshops, but it feels as though they should be more integrated into his persona. Similarly, Anika sings powerfully about old rich men running the country and young people having no voice, but it comes from nowhere. In contrast, alone on the stage, Jo sings poignantly about the lack of support for women addicts in toxic relationships. This fits perfectly with her character and feels much more authentic.
When campaigning, Mary encourages local people to speak. At this performance, two of the original workshop attendees nervously came from the audience to perform their speeches. They spoke passionately about what should be done to address the loneliness of old people and improve youth services. Their depth of feeling was palpable and the reception from the audience was electric.
Mary is deaf, as is Gabriella Leon who plays her. All the dialogue is captioned and when BSL is used between several characters the captions benefit the hearing audience. Mary gives her speech using BSL, explaining how learning it opened up her world. But the true voice of reality comes from Mary’s official, Tom (an impressive Kit Esuruos), who identifies that Mary cannot possibly address all these issues should she be elected. Mary seems content that people will have the perception they have been heard. She states that if she is elected, he will be dismissed.
There’s no perfect ending for Sanjana, but there is still some hope. Similarly, Our Public House gives voice to real issues and offers opportunity to real people, and it is always faithful to its source. It may lack cohesion in places, but it is thought provoking and original with some excellent performances.
Produced by Dash Arts in association with Leeds Playhouse
Written by Barney Norris
Created and Directed by Josephine Burton
Music by Jonathan Walton
Lyrics by Jonathan Walton and people across the country
Set and Costumes designed by Good Teeth Design
Lighting designed by Ryan Joseph Stafford
Video and Creative Captions Designed by Ben Glover
Sound Designed by Bella Kear
Movement Direction by Josie Daxter
Associate Director Scott Hurran
Music Direction and Music Production by Yaniv Fridel
BSL Consultancy Charlotte Arrowsmith
Fight Director Zhenya Leverett
Our Public House is touring the UK until Saturday 4 July.
