|
The only thing that seems to unite them is that they all live in London and thus, directly or indirectly, are affected by one, two or all of the events that took place in July 2005.
The characters include a couple (played by Kirsty Bushell and Sam Spruell) who are spending time together in his East London flat after months apart - they also happen to be brother and sister. A teacher and student (Sarah Soleman and Sam Graham) are reunited after eight years apart; she is looking for a new job while he - having recently been divorced - is looking for some company. At the same time a terrorist takes the train to Hammersmith where he plans to blow himself up.
Pornography, a co-production between Birmingham Rep and the Traverse that was one of the successes of last year's Edinburgh Festival, is not an easy play to watch and it demands much of its audience. But it's worth the effort, as this is a superbly crafted play, an intelligent and stimulating piece of drama. Stephens tackles the events of July 2005, not by actually depicting them, but by illustrating their effects on those who witnessed and experienced them. These range from a man who was involved in the bombing to a woman in desperate need to get to her doctors' office, but who can't because the city's public transport system has ground to a halt.
The complex composition of the piece is both a blessing and a curse; this is challenging theatre, on anumber of levels, and it will undoubtedly disappoint as many as it delights.
The most engaging and interesting of the various stories is that of the incestuous couple, whose decision to be together despite being related, is turned on its head when he is forced to walk home after the attacks. He witnesses the panic and hysteria and realises he can't deal with the pressure of being with his sister, despite being deeply in love with her.
Bushell in particular does an extraordinary job as the sister. She perfectly captures her character's strengthes and weaknesses and the audience end up feeling a strange sympathy for this woman who is in love with her brother.
This is a knotty but remarkably written play by a consistently exciting and interesting playwright. It is not the most accessible piece of theatre but it is rewarding to those who make the effort to appreciate it and resounds with a love of London and the people who make it such a rich and great city.
 | 
share: 
THEATRE REVIEW:
