What’s it all about?
A world where everyone and everything is at war with one another. The Koreans have sided with the wasps, the Latvian dentists are in with the crocodiles and the weather is on the side of the Japanese.
Just 40 minutes, Caryl Churchill’s staggeringly beautiful – and equally disturbing – piece is split into three stories. In the first a young girl witnesses her uncle bundling the bloody bodies of near dead children and adults into a shed. In the second a woman and man make elaborate hats, more concerned by their poor pay than the fact the fruits of their labour are destined to be worn during their wearers’ executions. In the third, a trio of desperate people rip each other apart to discover each’s true alliance as they attempt to keep up with a world tearing itself apart.
For a piece of theatre so slight in its duration, it is disconcertingly epic in its scope.
Who’s in it?
In this case, possibly the more important question is who directed it. Far Away is the result of this year’s JMK Award, an annual prize that offers an emerging director the chance to stage the show of their choice at the Young Vic. Kate Hewitt proves herself a worthy winner, not only marking herself out as brave enough to tackle an ambitious piece, but successfully pulling it off, creating a powerful, claustrophobic and intense experience not easily forgotten.
Her cast, which includes Ariyon Bakare, Samantha Colley and Tamzin Griffin, are equally impressive giving calm, measured performances that heighten the horror as they talk of burning bodies and beating up children as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.
What should I look out for?
Georgia Lowe’s millinery expertise and Tom Mills’ chilling sound design in one stand out scene. Never have 50 elaborate hats been so terrifying.
In a nutshell?
Never trust a crocodile.
Will I like it?
Surreal, weird and upsetting, Churchill’s play won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But, for me, the playwright’s Revelations-like end of day’s images – wasps covering horses’ heads and butterflies choking throats – and unsettling ability to make cavalier brutality poetic makes for an – albeit brief – evening of theatrical brilliance.
Far Away is playing until 29 November. You can book tickets through the Young Vic’s website.