By Cal
Link: https://www.newperspectives.co.uk/?idno=1168&s=82
Available until: Unknown
Off the Motorway tells the story of an old church. As you
drive past it on the motorway, you might catch a glimpse of it… sometimes.
There are times when it’s invisible.
But the church has a voice; a spirit.
And sometimes, it wants to be seen.
The church is the narrator of David Rudkin’s play, watching as you leave the motorway and come in search of it and its secrets. It describes what you see, hear and feel as you enter the church and look around. After a while, another person arrives. This person too has secrets to share.
Josie Lawrence plays the role of the
church, her voice evocative and almost hypnotic. Maybe it’s just me being a
typical adolescent (I might still count? I won’t be twenty-one for a couple of
days), but there seemed to be something almost sexual in the church’s
invitation (or perhaps it’s more a command: refusing is not an option) to come
in and look around. The secrets are slowly and almost sensually revealed.
Toby Jones (there’s some seriously
impressive casting in this series) appears later in the play, fascinating,
benevolent… or is there perhaps a little more to him than that?
Director Jack McNamara has gone for an
unhurried pace that is atmospheric and emotionally stirring.
I’ve only listened to two plays on
this series so far, but they both make perfect use of the medium of audio
drama. It’s difficult to imagine it working so well onstage or on TV – it’s all
about the imagination. The powerful language and vivid descriptions conjure up
all the images for you. It’s creepy, but so good.
No comments:
Post a Comment