Podcast Summary: "The Brightening Air (The Old Vic, London) - ★★★ REVIEW" by MickeyJoTheatre
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Host: Mickey-Jo from MickeyJoTheatre
Platform: YouTube & Podcast
Subscribers: Over 60,000
Introduction to "The Brightening Air"
Mickey-Jo dives into his review of Connor McPherson's latest play, "The Brightening Air", performed at the Old Vic Theatre in London. This marks McPherson's first entirely new play in over a decade, diverging from his recent ventures into jukebox musicals like "Cold War" and "Girl from the North Country". Mickey-Jo expresses excitement about McPherson's return to original playwriting, noting the play's thought-provoking nature and its intriguing blend of Chekhovian elements with contemporary themes.
"It's certainly interesting to hear what he has to say with his first new play in a long time." [00:00]
Chekhovian Influences and Narrative Structure
Mickey-Jo highlights the significant tonal and narrative similarities between "The Brightening Air" and Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya". Both plays feature themes of familial tension, unfulfilled desires, and the burdens of routine life in a shared family home.
- Setting and Atmosphere: The play begins unconventionally with a bare stage and a translucent curtain descending, creating a mystical yet grounded ambiance.
"Rather than a curtain rising to reveal a set, we've been looking at a fairly bare stage the entire time..." [00:05]
- Family Dynamics: The story revolves around three siblings—Billy, Steven, and Dermot—tending to their family home amidst returning more successful relatives. This reunion unearths old tensions and rekindles past romances.
"There's a sense of the magical and the mystical about everything that is to follow, though it's also at the same time very grounded in stark reality." [00:10]
Character Analysis
1. Billy
- Portrayed by: Rosie Sheehy
- Traits: Autistic, hyper-focused on trains, lively energy
- Role: Billy serves as the emotional heartbeat of the play, injecting vitality into a muted family reunion. Her obsession with trains symbolizes a longing for escape from her bleak surroundings.
"She is presented to us fairly opaquely as an autistic character. And yes, Trains, being the hyper fixation of choice..." [00:20]
2. Steven
- Portrayed by: Brian Gleason
- Traits: Perpetually miserable, emotionally burdened
- Role: The middle sibling, Steven embodies deep-seated anguish. His depression stems from unresolved familial issues and personal failures, culminating in his tragic end.
"Steven's, everything we have seen of Steven, everything we will go on to see of Steven, is entirely miserable." [00:35]
3. Dermot
- Portrayed by: Chris O'Dowd
- Traits: Successful yet internally conflicted, antagonist
- Role: The eldest sibling, Dermot contrasts his brothers with his financial success and family life. However, his actions reveal a man grappling with a midlife crisis and moral dilemmas, including a public affair and manipulative tendencies.
"Dermot shares with his siblings that he had to take Lydia over to England in order to get an abortion." [01:00]
4. Lydia
- Portrayed by: Hannah Morrish
- Traits: Manipulative, yearning for emotional connection
- Role: Steven's wife, Lydia is entangled in her failing marriage and seeks solace through dark legends and magical solutions, reflecting her desperate attempts to mend familial bonds.
"Between her and Steven, there is enough of a connection that the two of them can actually commit to a little bit of emotional honesty with each other." [02:15]
5. Uncle Pierre
- Portrayed by: Sean McGinley
- Traits: Eccentric, radical, excommunicated clergyman
- Role: A central figure whose radical interpretation of Christianity fuels much of the play's tension. His alliance with Dermot aims to contest the family will, revealing deeper ideological conflicts.
"He believes that his perception of the way that the world is and what he perceives as a crucible of suffering is evidence enough of a malevolent God." [03:30]
6. Freya
- Portrayed by: Aisling Kearns
- Traits: Young, manipulative, perceived as a witch
- Role: Dermot's 19-year-old mistress, whom Billy suspects of witchcraft. Freya's interactions with Brendan add layers to Billy's character development.
"Freya... is characterized as a witch by a particularly resentful Billy." [04:45]
Themes Explored
1. Faith and Religion
- The play delves into unconventional interpretations of Christianity through Uncle Pierre's character, challenging traditional beliefs and showcasing religious fanaticism.
"Father Pierre... describes it as an evil bastard God very articulately." [03:00]
2. Solitude and Escape
- Characters grapple with isolation and the desire to escape their monotonous lives, symbolized through conversations about trains and the mystical elements introduced by Lydia.
"The notion of escape, the idea of the train as this thing that could carry them away from their miserable lives." [00:10]
3. Folklore and Magic
- Magical elements, such as the love potion water and unexplained disabilities, serve as metaphors for the characters' struggles and attempts to manipulate their destinies.
"There's the magical love potion, water and all of the revelations attached to that..." [04:00]
4. Neurodivergence and Representation
- Billy's portrayal as an autistic character brings forth discussions on representation, with Mickey-Jo expressing concerns over the stereotypical and potentially harmful tropes used.
"I do have some serious question marks about its depictions of neurodivergent characters." [06:30]
Performances and Creative Elements
Mickey-Jo praises the ensemble cast, particularly highlighting:
- Chris O'Dowd as Dermot for his portrayal of villainy and internal conflict.
- Brian Gleason as Steven for embodying melancholy and frustration.
- Hannah Morrish as Lydia for her spellbinding emotional connections.
- Rosie Sheehy as Billy for her outstanding performance that encapsulates the play's cyclical nature.
"Rosie Sheehy, really remarkable, absolutely fantastic performance..." [07:15]
The play's direction by McPherson is commended for reincarnating Chekhovian emotions, though Mickey-Jo notes a lack of clarity due to the multitude of ideas and character arcs. The use of music and silence is effectively employed to convey pathos and mystery, despite occasional reliance on heavy-handed moments.
"There are also some slightly more heavy handed moments where the lines don't feel necessarily entirely entirely in the voices of the characters." [08:00]
Conclusions and Final Thoughts
Mickey-Jo concludes that "The Brightening Air" is a compelling character study reminiscent of Chekhov's works, enriched by strong performances and intricate thematic exploration. However, concerns regarding the portrayal of neurodivergent characters and plot points overshadow its strengths. Despite these issues, the play offers enough depth and emotional resonance to warrant a visit, especially for those interested in modern adaptations of classic themes.
"But I also think it offers enough compelling character study to really make it worth seeing." [09:45]
Overall, Mickey-Jo recommends "The Brightening Air" as a meaningful addition to contemporary theatre, blending traditional influences with modern storytelling, while also urging viewers to engage in discussions about its representation aspects.
Engagement Prompt:
Mickey-Jo invites listeners to share their thoughts in the comments and encourages subscriptions for future reviews. He emphasizes community interaction and values audience perspectives on the play.
"If you have had a chance to see this production for yourself, I would love to know what you thought about it in the comments section down below." [10:00]
Key Takeaways:
- "The Brightening Air" intertwines Chekhovian elements with modern-day themes, exploring familial tensions, unfulfilled desires, and the struggle for emotional connection.
- Strong performances, especially by Rosie Sheehy and Chris O'Dowd, elevate the play's emotional depth.
- The play effectively uses magical realism and folklore to symbolize characters' internal struggles, though it stumbles in its portrayal of neurodivergent characters.
- Mickey-Jo provides a balanced critique, acknowledging both the play's strengths and its shortcomings, making the review insightful for potential viewers.
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