By Amanda VanNostrand.
As the clapping commences and the actors walk off stage, longing to know even more of the characters lives while being satisfied with the lessons and connections already made with the storyline, will let one know that the show was a great one. Often the measure of a great play is the feeling one gets at the end, and this is one of the greats.
Inis Nua is currently presenting The Night Alive at The Drake, and connection and desire for more is something the audience will assuredly feel. As Inis Nua brings shows from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales and strives to connect these cultures and experiences with those of Philadelphians, it can be concluded that they have succeeded. Themes and characters of The Night Alive are beautifully articulated through this story, and it is an entirely appropriate show for today’s time and place.
The Night Alive tells the tale of five individuals residing in Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland: Maurice, an older widower who owns the house where the stories take place; Tommy, the well-meaning yet seemingly unsuccessful nephew of Maurice, who brings home our next friend; Aimee, the woman who receives a broken nose from an ex-boyfriend and is picked up by Tommy; Doc, the simple-minded business partner and friend of Tommy’s; and Kenneth, Aimee’s ex-boyfriend who (I’m no Psychologist, but) is a Psychopath. The five individuals’ stories mesh together as they find reasons to live, reasons to be, and identities, amongst the company of one another.
A central theme of this show is undoubtedly loneliness. Each character lives on her or his own and although they are surrounded by one-another, they do not consistently feel heard, known, or loved; they are looking for the answer to, “what’s going on?” as Marvin Gaye so famously asked. As they exist, in middle age through to old, they figure out the day-to-day big and small pictures of life. Each has been isolated, and by the end one will wonder if each has been redeemed, perhaps through the connections they have finally been able to make in their small, one-of-a-kind community?
Anyone who has visited Ireland knows that fancy bells and whistles are not required to create a place that naturally contains magical elements. This show is the same: the apartment (Scenic Design by You-Shin Chen) portrays a low-key, just-spacious-enough apartment containing doors to outside, the bathroom, and a hallway. The apartment is a mess and gives the befitting impression that whomever lives within is not in the healthiest of mental states. With strong Irish themes including icons of Jesus and John F. Kennedy, the aging stained glass above the hallway door, the old-fashioned looking daisy chandelier lighting the room, and the numerous trash bags and piles of old novels give an impression of a place with potential but that is rotting away under its current upkeep. The place is a perfect parallel with the stories of the characters, who are in disarray but figuring out how to get themselves together.
The cast of The Night Alive brings the Irish presence alive. Perhaps the most difficult of roles to play is that of Kenneth, who is played by Grant Struble. As noted earlier his character seems psychopathic, and this actor brings a truly disturbing man to the stage. At once pathetic and unnerving, his actions and hysteria are not easy to portray, but Struble does a fantastic job of it. Also of note is Mike Dees who plays Doc, another difficult character. His character is simple, pure, lonely; Dees brings an endearing light to Doc that places a light in the dark spaces of Tommy’s life. An excellent cast.
The Night Alive transports the audience to Dublin, and although there are bright and cheerful moments this show is essentially about the effects of carrying burdens, and carrying them alone, in a lonely world. The characters are each experiencing depleting mental health and loneliness, and they are struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-doubt and regret, and shame. The show is not a lively one but much happens that ensures that audience members can connect and reflect on the loneliness and burdens that they may be carrying. In the end of this show, an awareness of the reality of loneliness is true and engages thoughts of what can be done to ensure that loneliness is not the end-all, be-all feeling of the one life we are given.
A healing and enlightening experience, The Night Alive is beautifully done at The Drake.