Brutally honest, mettlesome and presenting a thirst for political agency, Everything Between Us by David Ireland is a breakthrough for New Writing. In its English Premiere the production is an intimate insight of disparity, consulting the lives of two sisters affected by their own displacement, political efforts and personal corruption.
A principled play with effect, Everything Between Us showcases how contemporary political and religious thought can be paired with comedy, whilst also presenting a hard-hearted darkness. As Sandra Richardson prepares to take her seat on the Commission, her long lost sister Teeni explodes into the chamber and attacks the South African chairwoman, Dikeledi Mashiane. Deep in the heart of the Northern Irish Parliament, overshadowed by the legacy of hurt, Sandra and Teeni must fight through decades of violence, anger and denial to discover if reconciliation is possible on the pathway to peace.
Enhanced in the nest of the Finborough Theatre, this play thrives on the essence of studio theatre, playing to the intimate strengths of a sold out audience. The intimate surrounding gives life to the new writing and allows it to breathe within the four close walls. Designed with thought, the set allows the actors to forcefully move and interact with several features. Hanging from the ceiling are industrial lightbulbs and broken cables, all highlighting a fractured system. A striking feature of the set is a centralised filing cabinet which provides the tool for several startling sound effects. In their anger both women acknowledge the broken environment, interacting with its very thought, as if it is to be expected considering their shared past.
Conscience in the play is a construct that is evaluated several times, questioning the action and consequence. At the heart of the writing there is a sense of urgency to reconcile, but with the barriers Ireland presents it is very difficult for the two sisters to ever apologise or even sustain eye contact. In its moments this play presents a strength and through the direction a truth is received. In its last speech this play blinds you with imagery, acted with candour and translated understanding. Left with the imagery of a cannibalistic episode, this play pulls you along on its brutal expression and leaves nothing behind. It fights with its human principle, it questions and denies all responsibility. The writing stares you in the face and asks ‘Where’ve you been?’. I leave the theatre with a fervent passion and anger, that can only be accredited to the thought and portrayal on stage. 4/5
Review written by Megan Mattravers.
Everything Between Us is currently showing at the Finborough Theatre until Tuesday 16th May. For more information on the production, visit here…
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