A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky - Simon Stephens, David Eldridge and Robert HolmanDirected by Sean Holmes
Lyric Hammersmith, London (15/05/2010)
The Lyric Hammersmith's latest production is a unique collaboration of three successful modern playwrights. The voices of Simon Stephens, David Eldridge and Robert Holman blend wonderfully to create a simple, stylish and raw new play that looks at the impact of the end of the world on an increasingly disparate family. Fusing moments of chilling discomfort with heart-wrenching warmth, this albeit slightly odd production presents a refreshing display of optimism that is rarely seen on the modern stage.
First of all, I've often found 'end-of-the-world' stories a little bit disappointing. They either portray absolute mass human hysteria, sometimes pacified by a sort of alien intervention, or handle it in a comic 'and then I woke up and it was all a dream' kind of way. Well, this time it really does happen. A cosmic strip has been identified by physicists who have confirmed that the earth will be destroyed in three weeks time. The idea is simple, slightly beyond comprehension but believable and gives the playwrights enough time to really explore the effects of such a disaster.
The scene is modern England and five brothers ranging from grandad to schoolboy face the reality of the end of the world. But, the physics is not important, nor is the effect on the globe. Rightly, the focus is on the family and the five brothers. Fortunately the five actors playing the roles gave perfect performances. Harry McEntire as the young Philip was one of the best - his cheeky and optimistic character added a certain warmth to the otherwise darkly disturbed family. Another young actor, Rupert Simonian, was equally bright and compelling as another brother's grandson.
A weak spot in the play came with the strange mix of flashback and time travel that Philip seemed to undergo at times. It was unclear whether he was psychic, dreaming or just plain loopy but the weird addition of historic adultery amongst the family ancestors was disorientating to say the least. The outbursts of anger from the mother of the family played by Ann Mitchell also felt awkward and out of character.
That said, overall the play dealt with the family in a poignant and moving manner. And instead of an explosive end, the final scene was a more suitable sedate affair that nevertheless hit just as hard. The bare stage and raw performances showed the writers doing what they do best - A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky is about the words and the people, not the show.
Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky'.
The scene is modern England and five brothers ranging from grandad to schoolboy face the reality of the end of the world. But, the physics is not important, nor is the effect on the globe. Rightly, the focus is on the family and the five brothers. Fortunately the five actors playing the roles gave perfect performances. Harry McEntire as the young Philip was one of the best - his cheeky and optimistic character added a certain warmth to the otherwise darkly disturbed family. Another young actor, Rupert Simonian, was equally bright and compelling as another brother's grandson.
A weak spot in the play came with the strange mix of flashback and time travel that Philip seemed to undergo at times. It was unclear whether he was psychic, dreaming or just plain loopy but the weird addition of historic adultery amongst the family ancestors was disorientating to say the least. The outbursts of anger from the mother of the family played by Ann Mitchell also felt awkward and out of character.
That said, overall the play dealt with the family in a poignant and moving manner. And instead of an explosive end, the final scene was a more suitable sedate affair that nevertheless hit just as hard. The bare stage and raw performances showed the writers doing what they do best - A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky is about the words and the people, not the show.
Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky'.
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