A PLAY, A PIE AND A PINT: LEVIATHAN | STAGE REVIEW
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, Tues 24 March
The Sherman’s new show, A Play, A Pie And A Pint: Leviathan, does exactly what is says on the tin. You get to see a play (Leviathan – a drama centred around three generations of women) and enjoy a free pie and pint for your troubles.
It’s hard to argue with the deliciousness of the pie (steak and kidney for me obviously), the quality of the beer (from a very fine collection, other alcoholic beverages are available), the loveliness of the venue nor the making-it-look-easy-acting-chops of the three Welsh actresses. But I was left wanting more of the lyricism and less of the kitchen sink drama.
The show (which was completely sold out the night I attended), commissioned by Òran Mór and Sherman Cymru, captured its audience from the off and drew them in with some earthy humour, which soon turned dark.
Leviathan introduces us to three Welsh women trapped together in their own back garden. Mum Karen who is seemingly catatonic, caustic and suspicious Nan Mavis and daughter/granddaughter Hannah who is flighty and hiding life altering secrets. Mavis and Hannah bicker and thrust and parry whilst the family cat torments the local wildlife (to the volcanic fury of Mavis). This jagged back and forth is punctuated by dreamy, poetical outbursts by Karen.
Eventually we unravel the many destructive episodes that brought all three to this point, and it all culminates in a devastating apogee.
The humour was suitably scabrous and self mocking, the energy of desperate Mavis and Hannah shone through and contrasted well with stillness and absence of Karen.
But the best bits weren’t the sweary jokes and vitriolic put downs but the dreamy lyrical moments, showing the internal world of catatonic Karen, providing respite from the increasingly venomous Mavis and Hannah.
The concept of course is great – get sofa monsters like me to the theatre with the bait of pastry and alcohol. How can you lose? Throw in the splendour of the Sherman (possibly the best new building in the student quarter – certainly better than anything the University can offer) and the intimacy of the Studio and you have a winner.
But despite all its attributes, I begin to wonder if we will ever transcend the cliches of earthy working class humour in desperate circumstances. More of the lyrical, less of the prosaic, would have been welcome.
words JEFFREY BAXTER photos PETER BLACK
A Play, A Pie And A Pint: Leviathan, Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, until Sat 28 Mar. Tickets: £12.50 (includes a pie and a pint). Info: 029 2064 6900 / www.shermancymru.co.uk
