Raven Theatre takes a worthwhile trip to Brighton

BRIGHTON is a play by Waterford dramatist Jim Nolan that tackles head on many of the burning issues of the day, especially those that affect people in nursing homes, writes Jackie Hayden.

It’s set in the Sisters of Calvary home in London and focuses mainly on three finely-developed characters. Lily (Bridget Scully) is a loyal, good-natured Catholic whose faith dominates her life and thinking. The recent arrival Jack (Michael Conway) is a well-known actor now confined to a wheel-chair following an accident and contemplating assisted suicide, while David (Ben Mac Caoilte) is a gay (in both senses of the word), decent carer and a rabid Arsenal football fan.

David and Lily connect through their mutual interest in football (she’s a Fulham supporter) evoking much amusing friendly banter between them.

Jack has a liking for backing horses and soon has Lily at it too, to mixed results. Dave is also involved in a not-quite-working affair with his wayward boyfriend.

Initially, Brighton feels a bit staid and twee, but a planned trip to Brighton brings on a number of issues that ramps up the tension and challenges the characters to come to terms with their respective problems. Jack has a female partner who wants him to live with her, Dave plans to force his partner into marriage and Lily has her cancer to deal with.

As with the film The Drummer and The Keeper, shown recently at the Wexford Arts Centre, Brighton infiltrates a sense of humour and humanity into topics that are serious and life-changing. It could easily have tipped over the line into schmaltz, but under Aine Gannon’s direction it maintains its grip on reality. The main characters are played sensitively and convincingly, but Mac Caoilte particularly impressed with the accuracy and consistency of his London accent.

The size of the audience and their warm reception also made it yet one more drama triumph for both Raven Theatre and the Wexford Arts Centre.