Stream: Angela
‘Angela’ by Mark Ravenhill. Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Pitlochry Festival Theatre in collaboration with Naked Productions.
I was prepared not to like this autobiographical piece, as the subject matter was too close to home. Old age and the pathways of youth are something that you contemplate closely as the years speed by fast at ‘a certain age’. This last year has provided plenty of time to contemplate the past and wonder what the future may bring. However, strangely I could not stop listening, and dare I say really enjoying. It is a truthful portrayal of Ravenhill’s mother’s challenges and a revelation, in a gentle way, of the struggles he himself faced.
Told through the voices of Angela (Mark’s mother) in her old age at 84 and her youthful self, this is a beautifully crafted work which never descends into maudlin or hysteria despite the onset of Angela’s dementia. The authenticity shines through. Opening with the sound of the ballet class, a lifelong passion and desire at a young age for the writer, it interweaves between the young Angela and the old.
This device can be tricky on radio, but never once did I lose the thread or wonder what was what happening. The references were particularly resonating for this listener. The cake Mark plans to bring with his visit. Who can forget the legendary Fullers walnut cake, the epitome of middle-class teatime in the fifties? Toby Jones as Ted reading an extract from the chapter ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ from ‘The Wind in the Willows’ which I recently re-read. Wanting to be called by another name than the one given. Rita, seeming to be a ‘bit on the common side’ as opposed to Angela. I loved that. And finally, the awful change of character which dementia brings. Something which I and probably many other listeners will recognise.
But all along her life was portrayed in a kind and loving way. With a running time of 95minutes the story never flagged, performed by a stellar cast. The wonderful Pam Ferris playing the older Angela drew you in with her warm voice and made her onset of dementia feel real and human.
The stellar cast did not fail to convince, with Matti Houghton playing the young Angela, with sterling support from a strong ensemble playing multiple roles, and clear and concise direction by Polly Thomas from Naked Productions.
The audio production was outstanding, and it was evident that this was a cut above the regular podcast or radio play and a superbly crafted piece of work. In a digital age this production did justice to one of the UK’s best-known playwrights. With extra shows added this is surely the beginning of a whole new era for this collaboration between Pitlochry and the Lyceum. I cannot wait for the next one.
Available to stream until the 2nd of April.
