The Leary Girls by Heather Striplin
West Malvern Village Hall
Lee Farley reviews for The Observer
HEATHER Striplin is a young local writer whose previous plays, ‘Mint Choc Chip’, ‘To My Face’ and ‘Tell-Tale’ explored what it is like to grow up in a fast-changing and sometimes cruel world. ‘The Leary Girls’ expands on this theme and guides a packed West Malvern Village Hall into a dark and disturbing environment.
The play has obvious links to Shakespeare’s Lear which adds an extra element of literary detective work to the production – a playfully Brechtian touch. The three sisters – Delia, Regan & Gilly – all live in a small but colourful room in an unnamed city.
They are afraid of being caught sneaking out by their unseen, oppressive father and terrified of an unnamed conflict raging around their home. Delia wants to leave to be with her French boyfriend, but Regan and Gilly worry about her safety. A storm brews – literally and metaphorically.
These are 30 tense minutes. The village hall is surrounded by noises – cars, traffic, voices, which add to the oppressive atmosphere.
A large, supportive audience is focused and bewitched throughout – you can hear breath being let out as the three sisters take their bow. We’re trapped in here like the sisters are trapped in their room.
This is a believable and beguiling production which uses naturalistic dialogue and performances to create a threatening environment.
All three actors are confident, intelligent and articulate. They fully inhabit the juxtaposition of terror and compassion that binds the sisters together.
They are searching, longing for an escape, but are tied together by history. They rely on each other yet long to live a life away from the family, from the brutality and the drudgery of working for their dad in the chippy.
Neve McNally is a whirl of frustrated energy and passion as Delia, Billie Townson’s strong yet vulnerable Regan is heartbreakingly convincing, Heather Striplin, who also directs with understanding and clarity, is tormented by her conflicting responsibilities in her role as older sister.
These are powerful performances. Tender hearts in an oppressive and violent world.
Malvern is fortunate indeed to have such a creative and innovative example of home-grown community theatre.
I was delighted to see such a packed village hall and I am sure everyone in the room had an enjoyable and intriguing evening. Keep an eye on your local venues for more local community arts events – and keep an eye on these young writers, directors and actors. Whatever they do next is sure to be challenging, heartfelt and full of ideas.
