Leaves at KXT

LEAVES is a play by Irish writer, Lucy Caldwell, written in 2007, and it was her debut play, written as part of a residency at the National Theatre Studio .This quietly intense ,melancholy and compelling play grabs us and forces us to listen. With its Irish gift of the blarney it is at times lyrically moving at others quite emotionally tense.
In Caldwell’s play a family is preparing for the return of their eldest daughter, Lori (Harriet Gordon-Anderson), from a recovery clinic after an attempted suicide.  Her parents, David (Simon Lyndon), and Phyllis (Amanda Stephens-Lee) are still trying to get their heads around about what happened. Her two younger siblings, Clover (Bobbie-Jean Henning) and Poppy (Poppy Lynch) each respond to the situation differently and are struggling to find their way in  which they will respond  when she does arrive.The play is set in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and in the times of its major political unrest (The Troubles) and deals with the after effects and consequences on the psyche of those caught-up in a world at war with itself. The play is not about the actual horrors of specific events in The Troubles but rather as Rachel Chant in her director’s notes in the program says , “this isn’t a play about suicide…” or “…about the bombs or shootings…” but about “our capacity for hope.”
It is also about love and support of family and the power of words and what is left (un)said. The intensity and intricacy of family relationships is explored minutely and passionately. As in many books and movies, a lot happens in the early hours of the morning when people can’t sleep.
LEAVES is finely acted by a strong cast who give beautifully nuanced performances.
Lori, the troubled eldest daughter who we meet at the beginning of the second act, is given a tensely fragile performance by Harriet Gordon-Anderson. Lori, having been shattered by events, demands to know if there is any point in the future and eventually reaches out to hope and a fresh start on life.
As Clover, the middle sister, Bobbie-Jean Henning is delightful and dynamic, caring yet feisty and a touch rebellious. Poppy Lynch as youngest sister Poppy is terrific as a twelve year old, justat that difficult age of just turning adolescent, still childlike and naive in some ways and tired of always being the youngest and smallest and missing out on things.
As the mother Phylis Amanda Stephens- Lee is superb. She is stressed ,concerned and uncertain how to deal with things and determined to keep family together. A show highlight is an extremely moving monologue she delivers about how much she loves her daughters.
Simon Linden as David the father is gruff and taciturn , struggling to put into words what he wants to say and rather lost as to how to deal with what is happening .He is also great on the guitar leading the family in sing a long.
Leaves are scattered everywhere, falling out of books, blown on an Autumn wind, (ashes of fragile yet hopeful memory?!). The set otherwise consists of a large table and several clusters and boxes of assorted books with a hanging set of light globes on one wall.
The soundscape by Nate Edmundson is haunting, and the lighting design by Sian James-Holland wonderfully complements the action.
This was a gripping, compelling production.
Some Company, in association with bAKEHOUSE Theatre Co, presents LEAVES, by Lucy Caldwell at the Kings Cross Theatre until July 23.
Running time allow 150 minutes including one interval.