Brendan Murray’s The Falling Sky, in its latest staging by New Perspectives Theatre Company, is a piece of the theatre which really does become part of the community. With the audience led through the streets and bridleways of a rural village, in this case Aslockton in Nottinghamshire, by map and an iPod telling the story, a marriage of radio play and evocative setting combine to make something very special.
The play looks at a year in the life of a rural community with arrival of a high-flying Caroline, a London journalist, making the village home and how her interaction in village affairs affects the delicate balance. Whilst set here Murray’s piece examines, in the broadest sense, the state of the nation and talks widely about issues which do not only affect those living in the green belt: Organic versus intensive spray farming, mental health issues, Afghanistan and the hunting ban all get an airing but in a truly intergenerational way.
The recording has a top cast, including Stephanie Cole and Julian Glover, and the calibre of the actors is instrumental to its success. Few criticisms can be levelled however John – who’s character seems as tied to the land of the village as the landmarks we see when on our walk – is estranged from the rural English setting through his Irish accent and the opening of the piece was too monologue heavy without properly setting up characters.
This said The Falling Sky is a wonderful two hours spent walking and taking in a community. The direction on the part of Daniel Buckroyd at New Perspectives in the logistics and planning of the walk is impeccable, the serendipitous encounters on this however are entirely the audience’s own making this experience one which is highly personal, brilliantly uplifting and startlingly real.
The Falling Sky: ****
The Falling Sky continues in Glentworth, Lincolnshire; Wadenhoe, Cambridgeshire and Tideswell, Derbyshire. See www.newperspectives.co.uk for details.
Image courtesy of New Perspectives Theatre Company
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