In this the first play in Theatre West’s new autumn season, playwright Marietta Kirkbride has produced a richly layered observation of a vulnerable individual seeking enrichment and life experience through the internet, and how that goes horribly wrong. It is a fascinating study of how the web can both hide and expose identity – how it can seem like a sensitive intimate one moment, a destructive megaphone to the rest of the world, the next.
Jenna is 28 and is suffering from chronic fatigue. Her world is largely restricted to the short walk between her bedroom and the kitchen. On a good day she might make it to the local shop. Hers is an invisible illness. Because she ‘looks OK’, ‘normal’, she will often be on the receiving end of inappropriate remarks that question her condition.
To reach out, Jenna writes a blog about it all, writing randomly about everyday minutiae. “I try to make changing the bed sheets interesting.” Posts come in, some of them trollish. But one post, from someone calling himself David, starts to drill down into her psyche, kindling a desire for intimacy. But this is no ordinary post. This has a psychological time bomb attached, with the power to reveal extraordinary deceptions on both sides of a sad backstory. Kirkbride understands the web’s use for solace, contact and nurture. But she also recognises that it has a darker side in which vengeance, hoaxing and unthinking hatred find expression.
Directed by Chloe Masterton, Rebecca Newman gave an assured performance throughout as the needy Jenna. She took us all with her as she reacted to the developing messages that pinged onto the big screen (her computer) behind her. Newman’s timing was excellent as she spoke her ‘typed’ replies to the audience and we could see what came back on the screen. It was a sharp theatrical device and well executed. Newman’s emotional reactions to the messages were always engaging, and she managed to take things along at a realistic pace, allowing for moments of reflection. There was some lighthearted banter too with ‘friend’ Roxxi online. This was far from always being ‘dark’, and these witty interludes added to the shock coming down the line later.
Suspense, wit, poignancy and real angst, this writing and performance had it all in abundance. The Orator is a play that boldly places the internet centre stage, almost as a character in its own right – a good example of Theatre West’s commitment to finding new writing and writers. Kirkbride is a master at showing us how our online identities can take over and inform our real lives, and how the two in the end can be indivisible. A play for our times. ★★★★☆ Simon Bishop 6th October 2016
The Studio space at the Acta Centre in Bedminster works extremely well for this production. Theatre West has been having to seek out new venues as (for the moment) the local Brewery Theatre and the Studio Theatre in the Bristol Old Vic are both under development and out of commission.
In the foyer before the show, we were also treated to a 10-minute cameo performance entitled The Driver, by John Bassett. Played by John Lomas, who looked every bit the old-fashioned strongman, this imposing engine driver taking a break with his sandwich, told us, somewhat disconcertedly, not to worry, that our journey with him was likely to be accident free. But were we sure of the destination? A mini treat directed by Alison Comley.
