“Be Near Me” is based on the Booker Prize nominated novel by Andrew O'Hagan and is a co-production between the National Theatre of Scotland and the Donmar Warehouse.

The play is about Father David Anderton, an English priest who is moved to the town of Dalgarnock on the Ayrshire coast. Dalgarnock is filled with sectarian hate and Father David soon finds refuge in the company of two local teenagers, Mark and Lisa. Father David’s relationship with Mark grows, until one fateful night he makes a decision that destroys his life and the lives of his closest friends forever.

John Tiffany makes good use of the ten actors to create a beautiful piece of theatre. Most of the actors play two or three different characters, which works well in conveying the many different types of people Father David comes across. Also his decision to use the cast as a choir, singing sectarian songs from both sides, helps to make you realize the pointlessness of religious hate when there is so little we don’t have in common with each other. This is ably helped by Davey Anderson’s music, which underscores a lot of the show.

The actors themselves are wonderful, working together as a true ensemble. It is hard to pick out any one performance, but due should go to Ian McDiarmid who plays the central role with such superb subtlety and makes us feel great sympathy for a character it could be easy to hate. McDiarmid also adapted the novel into the play and has successfully created a piece so powerful that you’d never know had been adapted from anything. Blythe Duff also gives a superb performance as Mrs Poole, Father David’s housekeeper, whose confession leads to his downfall.

An excellent piece of theatre. Well directed and filled with impeccably strong performances. Buy a ticket!

Listings:

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

15 to 18 April

Wed – Sat eves 8:00pm

Tickets: £5 - £16

Box Office: 0131 228 1404

www.traverse.co.uk

Then touring until 16 May.