★★★★★
At Last
'I love it
when a plan comes together' is one of the most famous quotes from 80's TV show,
The A-Team. And it seemed achingly pertinent at the end of Proforca's
production of James Lewis and Alexander Knott's new work, At Last, where there
was a palpable air of something extraordinary happening. Whether it could be
described as a totally enjoyable experience might be debatable, but at least
you knew you were alive.
As an
audience, we had just spent 110 minutes in recent dystopia. We were warned in
the programme that the piece 'contains strong language and depictions of
violence and torture' – and it didn't disappoint.
Quoting the
play's synopsis, 'this is the story of ten years of hate. Ten years of
oppression and anger when we gave ourselves up to the dark.
‘A story of
the mother who fought for her broken sons, and the father that stood in
judgement. The daughter willing to pay the ultimate price for freedom, the man
who stood by and watched and the woman that listened.
‘This is the
story of when the world went mad. It is time to tell the truth.'
Told in a
series of monologues, we hear the stories of the aftermath of 10 years of a
totalitarian right-wing regime in the UK. And this is not the future, but 2018
which adds to the complicated dynamic as the stories of family destruction,
senseless cruelty and unfathomable madness unravel.
Directed
with incredible pace, precision and heartbreaking realism by David Brady with
Jess Barton, At Last is played by a company at the top of their game. The
ensemble of seven – David Angland, Michael Faulkner, Gemma Wray, Malcolm
Jeffries, Demelza O'Sullivan, Anthony Fagan, Melissa Phillips - exploit the
unquestionable strength of the piece, together with each character's
unbelievable, and at times, heartfelt story.
The entire
production is endowed with standout performances from a standout group of
actors. Malcolm Jeffries as Asper, a Justice of the Peace, playing judge, jury
and effective executioner, was tremendous, eliciting a palpably visceral
reaction to his performance of evil. David Angland and Michael Faulkner as Danny and Jack gave compelling, real and, at times, gut-wrenching
performances as two brothers on different sides of the regime – one torturer
and one tortured. Demelza O'Sullivan as Marie, the boys' mother, captured the
raw emotion and unwavering love of a mother in an incredible performance.
Proforca
Theatre Company enjoys a bold mission statement, 'to create theatre that
challenges confronts and engages our audience'. Without doubt, it is mission
accomplished with At Last, in a production that is sublime at so many levels.
Go!
At Last
plays at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre Kentish Town
until 22 September
WRITTEN
BY: "At
Last" is written by James Lewis & Alexander Knott.
DIRECTED BY: David Brady
ASSOCIATE
DIRECTOR: Jess Barton
CAST: David Angland (Danny) Anthony Fagan (Colin),
Michael Faulkner (Jack), Malcolm Jeffries (Asper), Demelza O'Sullivan (Marie),
Melissa Phillips (Grace), Gemma Wray (Nikki) with Ciaran Lonsdale (Sam)
OTHER
CREATIVES: Mitchell
Reeve (Lighting
Design), Samuel Heron (Composer)
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