Low Down

A fine one act play from James Saunders, exploring the dark tale that unfolds in a "safe haven" of a cottage in Wales.

Review

This is a play that begins and ends with the ringing of a doorbell. In-between there emerges a story of secrets, of deeds best left in the past. Hannah, nineteen years old, is the young woman ringing the doorbell.She steps into the living room of middle-aged writer, Harold, seeking refuge in this "haven" in the Welsh countryside.

Debbie, his daughter, cries out in the night from a bedroom nearby. I'm not going to reveal one word of the story that unfolds, through this excellent two-hander from the pen of James Saunders. The script is full of dark humour, the conversation between Hannah and Harold is partly an inquest, partly an interrogation, partly an attempt at resolution. It's intense, it is beautifully paced, and it is refreshingly clear as a play. And it's a story that shouldn't be spoiled one bit in advance.

Not all of the surprises come as surprises. Some of the territory of Saunder's play has been explored before, but the engaging and accessible script makes for a very compelling piece of drama. It's a one-acter set just at the right pitch. And he covers the territory with sharp wit, excellent, simple stage directions, and atmospheric writing.

The direction is faultless and the performers are first-class. Gary Mackay and Alix Wilton Regan are perfect foils for each other. The emotional intensity they bring to this piece is impressive, subtle and sharp. Tension mounts in all the right places, the "safe haven" of the Welsh cottage in which this play is set, becomes marvellously sinister as the play's story unfolds. The "fragile community" that Harold refers to becomes all too real, as Hannah's arrival disrupts his own fragile equilibrium.

This is a real gem of a play, with wonderful psychological tension, humour, mystery out of which emerges a tale of regret, deceit and full-on performances from two very fine actors. Roman Eagle Lodge is playing host to yet another superb two-hander in a 10pm slot well worth staying up for.

Reviewed by PL 16th August 2007

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