Friday 12 October 2018

REVIEW: Blood Runs Deep - The Unity Theatre, Liverpool.




There has always been a strong market for new writing in Liverpool and Break A Leg Productions in association with Bill Elms is leading the field with producing quality theatre, encouraging regular theatregoers and new audiences. Their latest offering with new play Blood Runs Deep brings a television suspense-thriller flavour to the stage. This is no mean feat given a static set, a few sound effects and lighting of the on/off kind. There was a good buzz around Liverpool’s Unity theatre which is the ideal space for this newborn play. The later eight pm start also gave an adult feel to a grown-up drama. Written by David Paul and Emma Culshaw, it’s still a bit raw around the edges in this world premiere but that only added to the occasion.

The play examines family in detail and specifically takes the theory of nature versus nurture to another level, drilling down into DNA and whether you can ever escape the ‘sins of the father’. All families have their secrets and this family is no different, except…it’s a big one.

There is an experienced cast of four who work well together negotiating the set that stretches right across Unity end stage, representing a small flat with defined living, kitchen and dining areas. Clues to the period are apparent (vaguely nineties) but not specific from the décor and this was a problem in the first act as it was unclear from the dialogue, although those with a keen ear for music may have thought it obvious from the song choices. I found it a bit distracting trying to work it out. Time changes need a little more than lights going brighter to be fully understood whether it’s moments later or the next day. Some nice touches such as a bulky portable television set with cassette player added a little humour.

Alice Merivale bounces onto the stage as eighteen-year old Zoe and while she gives one of the best performances, especially in act II, I just didn’t believe she was only eighteen. This could work, as she’s far from naïve, but the school uniform with bum-skimming culottes was out of place (and time) giving a vaguely inappropriate 70s feel that was unnecessary to the plot, given she had her blouse open most of the time. Zoe managed to utilise a well-placed cushion to preserve her modesty and looked younger when she appeared in her jeans. Zoe’s serial killer-film enthusiast boyfriend Jake (Brandon McCaffery) made a more believable troubled teenage son of Karen (Emma Vaudrey). Vaudrey plays worn-out single mum Karen with a downtrodden ease from the first time she enters, kicking off her flat shoes at the front door and sinking into a bottle. There is some great characterisation and lovely moments with her son. She is above all a mother but also a very troubled woman with a dark past. This plays out mostly in her scenes with John Schumacher playing Greg. He brings an understated class performance to the table with his moody, dark yet sometimes trusting character. You never know which way he is going to go which adds hugely to the suspense.

To sum Blood Runs Deep up it is secrets and lies. The story is edgy with enough suspense to keep you guessing until the end. Merivale and McCaffery, as Zoe and Jake, make for interesting watching and if they have not quite found their stage chemistry, in this only second performance, they soon will. This is a modern thriller with a classical Film Noir feel. It goes very dark at times. It’s both challenging and entertaining. Not one for the kids!

Reviewer - Barbara Sherlock
on - 12/10/18


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