Review: Freefall, Project Arts Centre
Friday October 09 2009
A MIDDLE-aged man wakes up to the news that his wife is leaving him.
Numbed into some sort of acceptance, he starts tidying up after the previous night's party. But as he is carrying wine bottles to the bin, he discovers his right arm isn't working properly. Next thing he knows he's on a hospital trolley with doctors speaking about him but not to him. As they discuss the severity of his stroke, he gradually accepts that this scene might be his last and his mind is flooded with scenes from his past.
One moment he's walking in on his aunt and uncle having sex on Christmas Day, overhearing the most tragic of conversations about how unwanted he is.
The next he's being bullied into stealing his uncle's car by his cousin Dennis, or he's meeting his wife for the first time as she drunkenly vomits on his college text books.
As these memories are brought to comically surreal and poignant life, we assemble a portrait of a man whose life has been crumbling for some time, possibly since the death of his parents when he was a small boy.
Tenderly realised by actor Andrew Bennett, this is a life pitted with sadness, loss and unanswered questions, the ultimate being what happened to his baby sister -- given up for adoption when his parents died.
Presented by Corn Exchange with the ever-talented Annie Ryan as director, this is an exploration of the emotional frustrations of this illness and a depiction of a life through memories.
Effective use is made of a tiny camera to project the faces looming in on the patient, so you see the world from his perspective. But there is no unnecessary gimmickry or trickery.
The fact that the script was developed by Michael West in collaboration with the cast means there is a truth to the lines; an often painful honesty. But there are occasions when the pace dips and the connection frays. The text could be tightened. However, this remains a courageous and innovative piece.
- Sophie Gorman
Irish Independent
