Grave

21st – 22nd April 2024

I always thought it strange that shows didn’t play on a Sunday.  If it is acceptable for shopping malls to open on the Sabbath then surely resting in a comfortable auditorium shouldn’t be questioned either.  Thankfully times have changed and many theatres, particularly off-West End and fringe venues now regularly schedule a matinée or evening performance on the day of rest.  It is still the weekend after all!  

This particular Sunday evening I found myself on Islington’s Upper Street, home of course to the famous Kings Head theatre, which has recently relocated to an impressive new site just a stone’s through from the original pub. But it was the Hope and Anchor pub I was frequenting for my first visit to the Hope Theatre which was established in 2013 and proudly boasts to be the first off-West End venue to open with a house agreement with Equity, ensuring a legal wage for all actors, stage managers and box office staff working at the theatre.  An admirable accomplishment, although with just fifty seats I was left puzzled at how the weekly overheads were covered (but then maths was never my strong point). 

“Sylvie Agnello and Billy Truscott give convincing performances which were credible and thought provoking”

Set in a graveyard we meet a gravedigger who works peacefully alone preparing a hole for the next unfortunate soul until a newcomer appears on the scene and disturbs the gentle tranquility.  A discussion between the two characters ensues resulting in the grave digger helping the newcomer on the condition that the newcomer stays to finish digging the hole. A simple affair we think – but the graveyard pulls in a number strange lost souls including a drunkard, a lawyer, a beekeeper and a parent who causes a certain degree of havoc and torment to the newcomer’s mind.

The audience, seemingly made up entirely of friends and family gave the cast of two a standing ovation.  For their effort and ambition, the graduating students, who have brought this play to London thoroughly deserve such plaudits, however the quality of the production sadly falls considerably short.

The Graveyard setting was simply, but effectively depicted with white hanging sheets clad with ivy and random pieces such as shovel and stone cross scattered around the small stage.  It was suggestive rather than naturalistic and despite the low budget feel, gave us a sense of the outside. There were projections at times, but these were masked by one of the large white sheets from where I sat so I was unable to see how they contributed to the story.  Costume was at times appropriate but inconsistencies were distracting.  Why did the smartly dressed medical lawyer sport a pair of Doctor Martens shoes?

When arranging tickets for this production I’d been informed that there would be an opportunity to vote on how the play ended.  Whilst not a fan of this concept, I was keen to understand more about how it would work.  I needn’t have concerned myself!  As we entered the auditorium, we were simple asked which actor we’d like to see die this evening?  Sadly, for Billy Truscott, it was his turn tonight.  

The play opened with choreographed movement to music, setting the absurd feel of the piece.  Despite a cast of only two there were characters a plenty, some overplayed, some not.  We observed the young lawyer battling with his own personal journey, ultimately taking on a new identity and becoming the very person he first scoffed at.  He met numerous randoms character and took on their vices.  Sometimes these interactions seemed pointless, but with others we sensed a relationship forming.  He formed a connection with the parent who we assume to represent his mother only to see his heart broken when she walked away.

The play prompted questions but gave very few answers.  Was this young man suicidal and in his last throws of life?  Were these people created to pave the way to his final moments?  The writing had gripping moments and the odd laugh out loud lines.  At times the two actors, Sylvie Agnello and Billy Truscott give convincing performances which were credible and thought provoking, but largely we were left baffled and unaffected by the story. Did we care which character died at the end?  

I have huge admiration for how much this young company has achieved.  There is clearly talent and drive but ultimately this was still very much a student production and the lack of quality let them down.

Timothy Brett