Review : Intemperance at The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-Under-Lyme*

What we thought of the Play 

The play was so well performed and produced that it was hard not to enjoy, but leaving the room there was a sense of sadness from all that went on in the story of Intemperance. The actors played each of their roles so well, I felt like we were spying on their living space. This is helped by the ‘round’ theatre, as the audience surrounds the stage which is position in the centre and gives the viewer a full 360-degree view of the production. The set stayed the same throughout, which I thought might make the play boring in points, but it only added to the strife of the people within it, the grandfather/father Fergal played by John O’Mahony, had been trapped in the windowless cellar room, where the family lived for two years, not having left this dark, air locked and odor afflicted place! So the same set being used throughout, only exaggerated this point even further.

The family dynamic is that of the bedridden grandfather (father to Millie) Fergal, the  mother, Millie, played by Krissi Bohn, living in this space – it can’t be called a home as its one room, and really nothing else – with her two children from her first marriage, Ruairi, and Niamh played by Thomas Grant and Niamh Finlay, and her new Norwegian husband Brynajar, played by Oystein Kanestrom – who is almost the only pocket of hope in the family, but is still somehow dragged into the desperate and soul-destroying depths of the rest of the collective.

We learn of how Millie now pregnant was once a drunk. She works by unravelling old rope and selling it on markets, Brynajar, is the only one who appears to be really trying to pull them out of the dark hole they call home, he has a job, can read and write and has been offered the chance of a promotion, the possibility of being able to move from this place. But we see how the family who feel that they are not worth anything, anchor him to this depressing life. But still, he continues to try.

Another integral part of the performance is the music, whether it was songs being sung by the cast. Which were often nursery rhymes of short folk songs, sung to Millie’s baby bump or drunkenly shouted by one of her older children, or when Millie’s father Fergal is singing an old sailor’s song when he reminisces about his past. The music is intertwined with the scrip. It was also fascinating when Ruairi would play an odd note in a rhythmical way on the only valuable possession that the family we are seeing owned… their bashed up old piano. At one point he thumped one note and Fergal groaned in his sleep and it somehow moved along with Millie and Brynajar talking. Other musical moments were from beyond the stage, from music being played in the background to introduce a new moment within a scene or a change of character dynamic. At whichever point the music featured, you could really feel it was completely part of the performance, a perfect accompaniment.

The production is dark in ways you can’t imagine. These people are stuck, and it seems that when opportunities arise, their past is so nearby it prevents them from moving towards them. You will laugh and cry throughout this performance and you will feel hopeful only to have it all dashed away.

Prepare yourselves for a rocky journey, but certainly one you shouldn’t miss. The intimate quality of the ‘round’ at the New Vic and the pure talent that is involved in this play makes it that of an enjoyable one, all be it truly intense and dramatic.

If you would like an insight into what the actors think about the way check out this short video :

The Cast 

 

Krissi Bohn as Millie Sildnes

Niamh Finlay as Niamh McLoughlin

Thomas Grant as Ruairi McLoughlin

Oystein Kanestrom as Brynajar Sildnes

John O’Mahony as Fergal Monahan

 

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are priced from £15 to £24.50 (concessions available). If you are aged 16-25, try to apply for their Under 26 Go Free Card, where you’ll then be able to see one play in their season for free, and any others for just £8.00.

How do I book tickets to watch Intemperance?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962. or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show which runs for 2.5 hours including a 10-minute interval opened on Friday,  5 April 2019 and will run until Saturday, 20 April 2019.  Evening shows are at 7.30pm while matinee shows will be at 2.15pm.  Please check the New Vic Theatre’s website for full details on timings. 

New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG

About The New Vic Theatre

Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Things to note: 

The New Vic welcomes all customers and is committed to providing access to the arts for all, which includes:

• Free parking close to the theatre entrance for Blue Badge holders (reserve a space with the box office)
• Automatic doors and level access into the foyer, ramped access to the auditorium on the ground floor and lift access to the first floor
• Wheelchair spaces on both the ground and first floor
• Disabled toilets on both levels
• An induction loop system (not available for amplified performances and an infrared-assisted hearing system)
• Baby-changing facilities
• Assistance dogs are welcome and water will be provided (if you wish to take your dog into the auditorium, let the box office know when booking)
• Sign language-interpreted, audio-described, captioned, relaxed and schools’ performances are available for The Wind in the Willows

Review by : Lex Ward

You may want to read this:

Review: The Lady Vanishes at The Regent Theatre

Review : The Girl on The Train at The Lowry Theatre in Manchester

Review: War Horse at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent

Photo Credit: The New Vic Theatre / Mark Douet

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.