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A CurtainUp 
London Review
London ReviewThis Wide Night
by Tim Newns
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It was so hard after you went, Marie. I didn't say much when you used to come in because I was just wanting to get on with it but God it did me in. My little mate leaving me. Sorry.— Lorraine
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Marie, an ex con, is trying to put her life back on track when her old cellmate Lorraine unexpectedly arrives at her flat. With no one else to turn to and nowhere else to stay Lorraine turns to Marie to help piece her life back together. The close bond and friendship they formed in prison is tested to its limits as Lorraine's new found freedom seems to have an adverse effect on Marie.
Maureen Beattie and Zawe Ashton play Lorraine and Marie respectively. Both give quite remarkable performances, captivating the audience throughout. Beattie's Lorraine is so authentic and watchable you even become quite enamoured with her quirky characteristics that often provide the only light-hearted moments of the piece. Lorraine is essentially a very sad and tragic character and Beattie ensures her plight draws the utmost compassion from the audience. Ashton's intense and harsh Marie provides a great counterpart to Lorraine, keeping us constantly on edge and unsure as to when she may lose her temper or lash out.
Lucy Morrison's intelligent and perhaps subtle direction takes the audience on a genuine character journey. In particular Marie's harsh exterior is gradually broken away to reveal quite a distraught individual with Lorraine almost her opposite progressing from the helpless to the helper. The memorable shower scene is a perfect example of a glimpse into Marie's desperate situation providing the audience with a good moment of reflection. Chloë Lamford's set of a dingy furniture-stricken flat also helps to instil a strong sense of hopelessness and sorrow. Water is quite prominent in the production with some "real life" rain making the outside world just as gloomy and depressing as the inside.
Chloë Moss's play is a sympathetic and very real portrayal of the life women face coming out of prison. The complexity of the two characters and the understanding of their situation are testimonies to Moss's ability to create such high-powered drama. If you didn't get the chance to see this stunning play first time round then this is another opportunity to witness some powerful acting combined with some very real, thought provoking new writing.
| This Wide Night
Written by Chloë Moss Directed by Lucy Morrison Starring: Maureen Beattie and Zawe Ashton Design: Chloë Lamford Lighting: Anna Watson Sound: Becky Smith Running time: 90 minutes without an interval Box Office: 020 7478 0100 Booking to 5th December 2009 Produced by Clean Break Reviewed by Tim Newns based on 26th November 2009 performance at Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE. |
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| This Wide Night
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