Review: Wishes, Libra Theatre Café

Stepping into Libra Theatre Café, we are greeted by warm smiles, the scent of mince pies and mulled wine – Christmas is definitely here in both spirit and aroma. The intimate theatre space for Wishes (co-written by Glenn T. Griffin and Simina Ellis) then presents a traverse stage setting with a minimalist NHS waiting room at one end and a curtain at the other. Traverse staging proves to be a tennis-like spectator sport for the audience, as the stories draw us across the stage, return, and repeat many times throughout the performance.

We meet Adam (Curtis Burrows), looking wan, tired, and frustrated by the endless wait at A&E. He’s fanned by numerous posters about the NHS, self-care, and mental health diagrams. His phone is out of battery and he’s very tired of waiting. Burrows delivers an eloquent study in frustration; his ability to balance strength, emotion and nuance of expression is impressive. To his left is the tech operator (Caleb Cura) who manages to be both visible and discreet as he cues lighting, music, and sound effects with professional timing.

As the endless waiting room saga continues, without information, announcements, or progress, another potential patient arrives. Clad in reindeer antlers, a Christmas sweater, and toting a large, noisy shopping bag, Agnes (Jessica Cole) sits next to Adam, is swiftly admonished, and swept towards a seat a little further away. Conversation starters in waiting rooms are often to be avoided, and the interactions that ensue between the two characters are no exception. Incisive, witty, and challenging ripostes are exchanged throughout. The integration of humour, including references to ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ and Christmas games such as I Spy, proves to be both engaging and uncomfortable. 

The story unfolds with relatable discussions around preparations for Christmas day, the dread of integrating family members, levels of alcohol, and the inevitable judgements around lifestyle choices and achievements. The complexity of this tale suggests a mixture of Sartre’s No Exit, meets Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl, intertwined with Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and the BBC’s Casualty, with its chaotic characters, likability, and layered stories of past, present, and future.

Harry (Sonny Simonelli), provides a stillness and sadness across this witty and complex piece; at times suitably animated; transitioning to statue-like presence, allowing the performance to continue whilst remaining in sight, motionless, suffering. He is comforted, cajoled, and cared for by Anna (Simina Ellis), who brings brightness and empathy to an often challenging narrative.

The actors’ projection is occasionally excessively loud in this intimate space, both in the traverse and behind some audience members, which proves quite stressful and uncomfortable. Given the low ceiling and close environment, the performance would benefit from less strident volume with more menacing stealth in places.

There are undoubtedly many threads across this play that would benefit from more time and exploration. The Griffin/Ellis writing duo does, however, clearly apply their wit and warmth in an exploration of life, emotion, and human interaction.

Written by Glenn T. Griffin & Simina Ellis
Directed by Glenn T. Griffin
Set Builder: Iulian Bilc
Tech Operator: Caleb Cura

Wishes plays at the Libra Theatre Café until Sunday 21 December