Set in Caillte Lighthouse off the coast of Angus in the North Sea just after WW1, the story follows two keepers and their training of a third before things occur that question their loyalty, friendship and ultimately, their sanity.
This show is promoted with the knowledge of being in the top 20 'Must See Shows at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival', and is already an 'Award Winning' show, so there is much promised, but does it deliver?
The Dixon Studio is a black box space and the set is basic, but very effective. Three chairs and a table set centre where the majority of the action evolves.
Upon entry we are provided with some foreboding waves, crashing against the lighthouse, letting us know we are now as isolated as the keepers themselves.
We meet the keepers; Morgan and Mac, then James, with the first few scenes allowing us some levity to learn about these broken men.
Morgan is played by Justin Cartledge (who is also the author of the play). Justin plays Morgan with a real sense of duty but at the heart of him, a genuine grief. His sad eyes constantly searching for some peace from his turmoil with skill and ease. Darren Matthews plays Mac, the father-figure of the three. A simple line early on tells us about his past and in Darren's performance, we see a wise, hardened man trying to hold everything together...failing to do so. Then there is James, played by Richard Orchard-Rowe. This character has arguably the biggest swing, and Richard does this with ease. From wide-eyed novice to a calculated threat. All three actors play their parts with aplomb, giving us men who try to hide feelings through any medium other than words, with a deep connection rooted through them at all times.
The story really begins to unfold when a mystery figure 'enters' the scene...this is an interesting decision. The antagonist, the catalyst of the turning point in this play, doesn't exist. An invisible enemy who is just as real as these men's PTSD. The mime was impeccable, despite his invisiblity, you very much saw 'the man'. And the cleverness here, is that each audience member sees the fear of him in the men.
The figure - who may be German - has diamonds, thus causing the breakdown of this trusted unit. As the 'German' disappears, (maybe after having been murdered, maybe not), the characters unravel. Mistrust of one another, duties blurred...all leads us to the unforeseen climax.
The costumes were in-keeping with the time period and matching to show uniform, but with enough differences to designate personality.
Director Amy Clayton completes a flawless job of pulling every ounce of comedy and pathos from the script. She transitions each scene with an atmospheric energy and has clearly gained an expertise for the use of silence.
The script written by Justin Cartledge eases through each sea-shift, has comedy that draws you in, then fear and drama to lock you still. The dialogue is littered with clues and yet provides a conclusion which is satisfying and open for debate. The writing style is so subtle, that at one point I thought an error had been made? But this story has a circular-narrative, and it is soon evident that nothing is included by accident or by chance. If you love a mystery/thriller, you'll love this.
It's a 55-minute play packed with everything from comedy, to genuine threat and moral questioning.
A must see show at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival..? It is a much see show now!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lighthouse is playing various dates in 2026;
The Courtyard Theatre, London - 9th and 10th April
The Brighton Fringe - 23rd May
The Space, London - 25th July
Camden Fringe - 6th to 9th August
The Edinburgh Fringe - 24th to 29th August.
For tickets and more information visit https://www.earlydoors.org.uk/copy-of-an-awesome-exit
Post a Comment