Sisters
David Storey
Directed by Elizabeth Elstub
Uncommon Theatre
Jack Studio Theatre
Star rating 3.5
David Storey’s 1978 play, written for Royal Exchange, Manchester, presents a gritty world where nothing is as it seems. It doesn’t get out much so this is a welcome revival in which the 1970s atmosphere is nicely observed both in the costumes and in Molly Agar’s set even down to the pattern on the tea cups.
On the face of it, a long estranged elder sister, Adrienne (Joanne Arber) is visiting her married sister in her Manchester council house. It’s very tense and this is clearly not an ordinary family home since a surprising number of people seem to live there or to be very familiar with it. Adrienne, who is clearly a heavy drinker, evidently has a troubled background and given to mood swings, doesn’t understand. The audience realises the truth long before she does and words like “knocking shop”, “brothel” and even “pimp” drop casually into the dialogue.
Arber is terrific in this role. She gets the initial awkwardness perfectly and we are soon wandering what exactly it is she is running from as she accepts drink after drink from the various people who pass through the sitting room. Later we see her in attractive seduction mode and ultimately in utter, screaming distress and panic. It’s a finely nuanced depiction of mental illness.
Also outstanding is Christopher Tomkins as Adrienne’s brother-in-law who styles himself a “businessman”. Given to ruthless violence especially towards his wife Carol (Laura Kaye – good) he has a chilling way of staring at other characters with a sneering half grin and he’s a powerful presence. Then there’s Stephan Guy making a fine job of Cracker, a revolting, chauvinistic, conniving policeman.
This is the first production from a new company, Uncommon Theatre and it will be very interesting to see where they go next because Sisters is arrestingly thoughtful.
Credit: Burgin Photography
