23 February 2024
The Tron Theatre, Glasgow
⭐⭐⭐
Caryl Churchill's award-winning play Escaped Alone receives it's Scottish premier at Glasgow's Tron Theatre this week.
Three elderly ladies are enjoying a relaxing afternoon in a sunny garden when they are joined by their neighbour Mrs Jarrett (Blythe Duff). The old friends chat about their favourite TV show, the changing names of local shops and some of their own anxieties.
The brightly lit, lighthearted garden scene is interrupted every couple of minutes by powerful, blinding lights and some very loud, menacing music. Each time this happens, Mrs Jarrett rises from her chair, walks up on a platform behind the garden, and describes a series of frightening and absurd apocalyptic scenarios. People are ill, the sea is dying, the obese are eating themselves...
The startling light and sound is supposed to be alarming and unsettling, and it is. Each time we are wrenched from the tranquil, friendly garden scene with a jolt. The catastrophes described by Mrs Jarrett are horrific, but unfortunately, all too realistic in today's uncertain world.
Blythe Duff is wonderful, and the writing for these parts is exquisite. The apocalypse should not raise laughs from an audience! But in Caryl Churchill and Blythe Duff's hands, it does. A perfect example of black humour done well.
The friendly garden chat is likewise beautifully written by Churchill and directed by Joanna Bowman. It's fantastic to see this older female age-group represented on stage, and the strong female cast are all glorious. Lena (Anne Kidd), Vi (Irene Macdougall) and Sally (Joanna Tope) each have their own stories to tell.
Much of their chat is mundane, but so skilled are the actors that it's fascinating to watch them discuss everything and nothing. Sally's joyous monologue about cats is the highlight of the show.
The dialogue throughout the play is wonderfully natural. The ladies talk over each other; they leave sentences unfinished - just like everyday conversations between a group of friends.
The black humour, sharp dialogue and superb talent on stage doesn't take away from the fact that I was confused.
Is Mrs Jarrett really there, in the garden? Is she describing something happening elsewhere, now? Or in the past? In the future? Can the other ladies hear her apocalyptic ravings? They don't seem to. They don't respond in any way.
I don't get it. It's all very strange.
The 50 minute play certainly provides much to think about, but it's all rather disconnected. The only real drama comes from the aggressive lighting, and I am not a fan of this device as a way to shock. I'd rather it was done via words and actions.
This presentation of Caryl Churchill's Escaped Alone at the Tron Theatre is definitely worth catching. It's performed and directed very well, and it's such a treat to see these superb actors on stage. But the play itself isn't one that I would return to.
⭐⭐⭐
🔗 Find more reviews of Tron Theatre productions by Lisa in the Theatre here
Escaped Alone CAST
Mrs Jarrett Blythe Duff
Lena Anne Kidd
Vi Irene Macdougall
Sally Joanna Tope
CREATIVE TEAM
Written by Caryl Churchill
Directed by Joanna Bowman, Tron Associate Director 2022-24
Set & Costume Design Anna Orton
Lighting Design Colin Grenfell
Sound Design Susan Bear Video Design Lewis den Hertog
Stage Manager Babette Wickham-Riddick
Assistant Stage Manager Scott Ringan
Wardrobe Supervisor Heather Currie
BSL Interpreter Amy Cheskin
Audio Describer Hazel Ann Crawford
Captioner Glenda Carson
📸 Production photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
Escaped Alone LISTINGS INFORMATION
Venue: Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB
Dates: Thu 22 Feb – Sat 09 Mar 2024 @ 7.30pm (matinees Sat 02, 09 Mar @ 2.30pm)
Tickets: £11 (Preview), £15.50, £17 or £20 Box office: 0141 552 4267 / www.tron.co.uk
Venue: Traverse Theatre, 1- Cambridge St, Edinburgh EH1 2ED
Dates: Wed 13 Mar – Sat 16 Mar @ 7.30pm (matinee Sat 16 Mar @ 2pm)
Tickets: £20 (concessions £16/£14/£5)
Box Office: 0131 228 1404 / www.traverse.co.uk
Accessible performances (Tron Theatre)
British Sign Language interpreted: Friday 1 Mar @ 7.30pm
Audio Described: Wed 6 Mar @ 7.30pm
Captioned: Thu 7th Mar @ 7.30pm
Wraparound activity (Tron Theatre)
Post-show discussion: Wed 28 February
Tron Young Company Responses to Escaped Alone: Thu 29 February & Thu 7 March
BUILD workshop with Joanna Bowman: Sat 2 March
🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Whether I am invited or not has absolutely no impact on my reviews or star ratings.
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REVIEW: Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill (Glasgow Tron Theatre 2024, Blythe Duff, Anne Kidd, Irene Macdougall, Joanna Tope)
