Leaves of Glass, 3 Stars

Leaves of Glass
Park 90
11th May to 3rd June 2023

“Following its critically acclaimed premiere at Soho Theatre in 2007, master storyteller Philip Ridley’s four-hander is a gripping narrative of memory, manipulation, and power – now regarded as a modern classic – returns for the first time in 16 years with a new production by longtime collaborators, Lidless Theatre.

East London. 2023. Steven has always tried to be a good person. He works hard. He looks after his family. But, suddenly, everyone starts accusing him of things. His wife accuses him of being unfaithful. His mother accuses him of being coercive. And his brother, Barry, accuses him of…what exactly? Barry won’t say. Or can’t. Or perhaps…Steven hasn’t done anything at all.

Philip Ridley is one of the country’s greatest living playwrights. His first play,’ The Pitchfork Disney’, changed the course of British drama.”

Review by Richard Lambert, 3 Stars

A well written story and a wonderful cast. But the show is 1 hour and 45 minutes long without an interval. It needs to be cut down or have an interval.

The floor is a shiny black plastic rectangle edged with LED strip on top of which sit 4 benches. Various props are brought on and off including a table taking us from home living room to office space.

The lighting is 360deg at several heights creating a very even wash except when deliberately causing zones or shadows. It’s very effective and subtle throughout.

The sound was mainly sound effects that telegraphed harsh emotional intent. A nice touch was the office telephone which rang without cables and a working baby monitor – it’s all in the details.

Well rehearsed staging of the scene changes and very realistic fight scenes are a credit to the Director and Fight Choreographer, along with the cast of course.

An impressive production that’s just too long.

Photo Credit: Mark Senior

Cast: Kacey Ainsworth, Katie Buchholz, Ned Costello and Joseph Potter.
Creative team: Director Max Harrison
Lighting Designer Alex LewerSet & Costume Designer Kit HinchcliffSound Designer Sam GlossopCasting Consultant Nadine Rennie CDGProducer Zoe Weldon / Lidless Theatre

‘Leaves of Glass’ will then tour to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (15 – 17 June) and  Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre (10 – 16 July).

Tickets: Click here

PARK90
Park Theatre
Clifton Terrace,
Finsbury Park,
London N4 3JP

Box office: https://parktheatre.co.uk/

Previews: Thu 11 – Sat 13 May

Plays: Thu 11 May – Sat 3 Jun

Performances:

Mon – Sat Evening 19.45
Thu & Sat Matinees 15.15
Relaxed performance Sat 20 May 15.15
Audio Described Sat 27 May 19.45 with touch tour at 18.45

Prices
Previews: £14.50
Standard: £18
Concessions: £16.50
Access: £9

Running time: 1 hour 40 mins (no interval)

Age guidance: 14+

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