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REVIEW: Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill

Updated: Sep 27

Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill at Glasgow Tron Theatre Feb 2024. Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

Escaped Alone

by Caryl Churchill

Directed by Joanna Bowman





Caryl Churchill's award-winning play Escaped Alone receives it's Scottish premier at Glasgow's Tron Theatre.


Three elderly ladies are enjoying a relaxing afternoon in a sunny garden when they are joined by their neighbour Mrs Jarrett (Blythe Duff). The old friends chat about their favourite TV show, the changing names of local shops and some of their own anxieties.


The brightly lit, lighthearted garden scene is interrupted every couple of minutes by powerful, blinding lights and some very loud, menacing music. Each time this happens, Mrs Jarrett rises from her chair, walks up on a platform behind the garden, and describes a series of frightening and absurd apocalyptic scenarios. People are ill, the sea is dying, the obese are eating themselves...


The startling light and sound is supposed to be alarming and unsettling, and it is. Each time we are wrenched from the tranquil, friendly garden scene with a jolt. The catastrophes described by Mrs Jarrett are horrific, but unfortunately, all too realistic in today's uncertain world.


Blythe Duff is wonderful, and the writing for these parts is exquisite. The apocalypse should not raise laughs from an audience! But in Caryl Churchill and Blythe Duff's hands, it does. A perfect example of black humour done well.


Blythe Duff in Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill at Glasgow Tron Theatre Feb 2024. Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

The friendly garden chat is likewise beautifully written by Churchill and directed by Joanna Bowman. It's fantastic to see this older female age-group represented on stage, and the strong female cast are all glorious. Lena (Anne Kidd), Vi (Irene Macdougall) and Sally (Joanna Tope) each have their own stories to tell.


Much of their chat is mundane, but so skilled are the actors that it's fascinating to watch them discuss everything and nothing. Sally's joyous monologue about cats is the highlight of the show.


The dialogue throughout the play is wonderfully natural. The ladies talk over each other; they leave sentences unfinished - just like everyday conversations between a group of friends.


Blythe Duff, Anne Kidd, Irene Macdougall and Joanna Tope in Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill at Glasgow Tron Theatre Feb 2024. Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

The black humour, sharp dialogue and superb talent on stage doesn't take away from the fact that I was confused.


Is Mrs Jarrett really there, in the garden? Is she describing something happening elsewhere, now? Or in the past? In the future? Can the other ladies hear her apocalyptic ravings? They don't seem to. They don't respond in any way.


I don't get it. It's all very strange.


The 50 minute play certainly provides much to think about, but it's all rather disconnected. The only real drama comes from the aggressive lighting, and I am not a fan of this device as a way to shock. I'd rather it was done via words and actions.


This presentation of Caryl Churchill's Escaped Alone at the Tron Theatre is definitely worth catching. It's performed and directed very well, and it's such a treat to see these superb actors on stage. But the play itself isn't one that I would return to.


⭐⭐⭐


Blythe Duff, Anne Kidd, Irene Macdougall and Joanna Tope in Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill at Glasgow Tron Theatre Feb 2024. Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

📸 Production photos: Mihaela Bodlovic



 

Escaped Alone CAST


Mrs Jarrett Blythe Duff

Lena Anne Kidd

Vi Irene Macdougall

Sally Joanna Tope


CREATIVE TEAM

Written by Caryl Churchill

Directed by Joanna Bowman, Tron Associate Director 2022-24

Set & Costume Design Anna Orton

Lighting Design Colin Grenfell

Sound Design Susan Bear Video Design Lewis den Hertog

Stage Manager Babette Wickham-Riddick

Assistant Stage Manager Scott Ringan

Wardrobe Supervisor Heather Currie


BSL Interpreter Amy Cheskin

Audio Describer Hazel Ann Crawford

Captioner Glenda Carson


 

Escaped Alone LISTINGS INFORMATION


Venue: Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB

Dates: Thu 22 Feb – Sat 09 Mar 2024


Venue: Traverse Theatre, 1- Cambridge St, Edinburgh EH1 2ED

Dates: Wed 13 Mar – Sat 16 Mar


Accessible performances (Tron Theatre)

British Sign Language interpreted: Friday 1 Mar @ 7.30pm

Audio Described: Wed 6 Mar @ 7.30pm

Captioned: Thu 7th Mar @ 7.30pm


Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill at Glasgow Tron Theatre Feb 2024. Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

 

Escaped Alone review, Caryl Churchill, Glasgow Tron Theatre 2024, Blythe Duff, Anne Kidd, Irene Macdougall, Joanna Tope


🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Whether I am invited or not has absolutely no impact on my reviews or star ratings.


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Lisa in the theatre. Scottish theatre reviewer. UK theatre blog. Glasgow Theatre. Edinburgh Theatre. Scotland theatre.

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