The Book of Grace, Arcola Theatre Review

Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are my own.

Content warnings – displays of violence, domestic abuse, terrorism and pornography.

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For Vet (Peter De Jersey), it’s very straightforward. There is ‘them’ and ‘us’, ‘aliens’ and ‘normal people’. Any offensive term, he will likely be thinking it. Vet has his duty to protect the American border, and he is dedicated to doing so. So much so, that he has been awarded a medal for his service. His wife Grace (Ellena Vincent) invites Vet’s estranged son Buddy (Daniel Francis-Swaby) to stay with them for the ceremony in a turn of events that soon turns violent and twisted.

The Book of Grace is undoubtedly a stellar piece of theatre. The story itself, the acting, the direction is all brilliant. The show had the audience of the Arcola Theatre engrossed and on tenterhooks as we waited for everything to unfold before our eyes. We watch on as Buddy arrives in Vet’s home, seemingly to join in the celebration and honour his father. It soon becomes clear that there is a very good reason why he hasn’t returned to the home in fifteen years, and it soon becomes clear that Buddy wants to get revenge.

Vet and Buddy are both angry people, bubbling with rage for different reasons. Grace, on the other hand, is a calming presence with a very sweet personality. She collects ‘good news stories’ in what she calls ‘The Book of Grace’, a book she is secretly writing and hiding from Vet. The chapters in the Book of Grace are read aloud to the audience, giving some context and setting the scene. 

Will Fricker and Rae Smith’s set design gets a huge thumbs up from me. Primarily we see the set as an apartment, with a sofa and a small kitchen area. But then we look up, and we see a US flag strewn across some barbed wire and scaffolding. The entanglement between Vet’s work and home life are very clear, with a small screen mounted on the wall showing a flickering live stream of the border. All of the space in the Arcola Theatre is used, from the cast sitting amongst the audience, appearing up a height and even on stage seating! Overall a really well thought out and effective set.

Violence is a huge theme in The Book of Grace, with the finale being one of the most disturbing things I’ve seen acted out on the stage. This was amplified by the talent of the cast shining through, maintaining intensity and emotion throughout and never dropping a beat. The atmosphere was electric, and the audience was unable to take their eyes off the stage.

Overall, The Book of Grace is an extremely impressive piece of theatre. Femi Elufowju Jr’s direction compliments Suzan-Lori Parks writing perfectly, in a production to be proud of. This is a must see for any theatregoer – you will not be disappointed.

At the Arcola Theatre until 8th June 2024.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆