REVIEW | The Dry House, Marylebone Theatre
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Bronagh
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review.
The fresh and shiny Marylebone Theatre welcomes The Dry House, a play centred around Chrissy and Claire, two sisters from a Northern Ireland town. Chrissy promises to go to ‘the dry house’ to get sober after one final drink. But the question is, does she mean it this time?
The set consists of a grubby, claustrophobic living room; curtains were drawn, old washing hanging up and empty alcohol bottles and cans littering the place. This is where we first meet Chrissy, played by Mairead McKinley, a chronic alcoholic since the tragic death of her daughter Heather. McKinley’s portrayal of Chrissy is hard-hitting and emotional, her heartbreak following Heather’s untimely death consuming her.
We then meet Claire, Derry Girls’ fan favourite Kathy Kiera Clarke, who has bought Chrissy her final four cans of beer which she must drink before embarking on the trip to the dry house. We learn of Claire’s own struggles throughout, her own alcohol issues; she defines herself as a different ‘type’ of alcoholic, managing to keep her secret hidden by keeping a clean house, and only drinking the best Sauvignon Blanc. The two sisters are trying to stay strong for one another, McKinley and Clarke bounce off each other well, and the sisterly relationship is very believable. Things that stereotypically go hand in hand with alcoholism – as in Chrissy’s case - are embedded into the script; not having much money, exploitation and struggling to keep a job. This is a stark contrast to Claire, who has a husband, children and is helping to fund the stay at the dry house.
Carla Langley plays Heather, seemingly excited after passing her driving test on her fifth attempt. Throughout the show Heather comes onto the stage and acts out the same scene multiple times, seemingly unaware of the tragedy that is about to occur. Both Claire and Chrissy talk to Heather, with Chrissy relentlessly torturing herself over her death. The truth behind Heather’s death comes out, with Langley directly addressing the audience in a long monologue. This is a shocking turning point, leaving the audience reeling and intensifying the heartache we already feel for her bereaved family.
The show is certainly a testament to Eugene O’Hare, writer and director of The Dry House who is also an actor and poet. The grittiness of the plot and the representation of grief and alcoholism slot the show nicely into the ‘dark comedy’ genre, with the much-loved Irish humour lighting things up throughout and getting laughs from the audience. The fantastic cast brings their characters to life, breathing life into them. Clarke has proved that she can do comedy, as I am sure most of us have seen in Derry Girls, as well as excelling at the darker material. The audience leaves hopeful that the sun will start to shine on Chrissy, radiating happiness and a fresh start.
The Dry House is well worth a watch, with the knowledge that it is very emotive and could be triggering to viewers. A wonderful start for Marylebone Theatre!
At Marylebone Theatre, until 6 May.
