UK Theatre Network

I hate trees. They clutter up a view. That’s why I like Lewis. Not really many trees on the island. All those rocks. Like the moon.

Grey Swan and the Jack Studio Theatre present the world premiere of Lewis Hetherington’s intriguing play bodies unfinished.  Hetherington is a core member of the theatre company Analogue and has co-written Beachy Head and the Fringe First Winner 2007 Mile End.

Directed by Timothy Stubbs Hughes bodies unfinished explores the moment when you decide to stop doing what you know, and step out of your comfort zone. Alan is going to sort out his life. After taking his elderly mother to the retirement home and separating from his wife and son he is looking forward to some quality time with former call girl Stella.  Joyce is trapped inside her head - ever since the tragic accident on the isle of Lewis. She is unable to communicate with her son or anybody else. Carol is taking the separation from Alan badly and is out for revenge. Stella is looking for a relationship in which she can be an equal partner.

Lewis Hetherington’s play is quite raw but there is beauty in the simplicity of his text.  The poetry of Hetherington’s writing is most apparent in Joyce’s monologues. Timothy Stubbs Hughes’ production brings out the different facets of the play – the darkness and the humour.  When Joyce, played with quiet intensity by Jean Apps, reminisces about the birth of her son one can hear a baby’s heartbeat in the background, a strangely eerie sound. Francis Adams perfectly conveys Alan’s middle-aged angst and his hope for change. Katerina Stearman is delightful and touching as Stella, and Jane Dodd is very good as the tortured Carol who has to cope with her husband’s abusive desertion.

This is a brilliant new play and I advise everybody to travel to Lewisham and see it.

Until Saturday 30 July

The Brockley Jack Studio Theatre