GRAV | STAGE REVIEW
Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Fri 6 Feb
Grav. Ray Gravell, the Welsh rugby international, a mountain of a man who played centre for Llanelli, and earned 23 caps during his career, is paid homage in this one-man show. Gareth Bale is the Welsh actor tasked with bringing Grav to the stage. The Torch Theatre production, under the direction of Peter Dorrit, is a sensitive and touching tribute to a man who was and is still very much loved and remembered by the nation.
The entire play is set in a dilapidated changing room – slightly unnerving as it’s reminiscent of Frankenstein’s lab – a grubby bench, broken eerie lighting and a battered rugby ball littering the sepia scene. Grav enters and begins to recall his life to his dead mam. It appears he is offloading, as he talks tenderly and passionately about the moments that shaped him. From his first try out for his school team to epic matches with the Lions, the dialogue eases between his very personal moments and his sporting triumphs and his stints as an actor.
In a particularly touching scene he recalls the loss of his father. Grav knew something was wrong when he didn’t arrive home that night; as a 15-year-old boy, he left his house and went in search of his father. When he found his faithful dog without his father by his side, he knew things would never be the same again. Yet there are laugh-out-loud moments also: he recalls being on the set of Rebecca’s Daughters with the legendary Peter O’Toole, and how they talked and joked about rugby while having their make-up done. The language writer Owen Thomas has used is incredibly poetic, almost flowery, but is all the more engaging for it.
Even if you’re not a rugby fan, don’t be put off by the premise: this is a human story and is incredibly moving. Highs and lows are all explored here, right up until his untimely demise at only 56 years old. Gareth Bale’s performance is brilliant, and he holds the audience right up until the last word.
Grav is at the Torch Theatre until Sat 14 Feb and then touring. www.gravcymru.co.uk
words EMMA CLARK