ED2015 4/5 Reviews ED2015 Theatre Reviews

Reconciling (The Barrington Collective)

By Andy Leask | Published on Saturday 15 August 2015

I wasn’t convinced that the odd premise for this play would work, but thankfully it really does. Three separate narratives unfold in the same space, dealing with relationships, both familial and romantic. Each story is distinct and isolated from the others… until it’s not. It’s a rapid-fire barrage of dialogue that demands the audience’s full attention; luckily, the quality of characterisation, pathos and humour all make that a given. The six talented actors time their exchanges and interchanges expertly, and with gusto, ensuring that the comedic and dramatic beats all land perfectly. They shift tone smoothly and powerfully, giving the script an air of verisimilitude it could easily lack. It’s tremendous fun: three good plays crammed together into less than hour.

theSpace on the Mile, until 29 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Andrew Leask]