The Events
Written by David Greig
Directed by Jack Nurse
Presented by Cumbernauld Theatre
in association with Wonder Fools
2 October 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
David Greig's The Events is not for the faint hearted; it's a powerful, chilling and at times disturbing play.
When Claire (Claire Lamont) survives a mass shooting, she sets out to answer the most difficult question of all: Why? Why did The Boy (Sam Stopford) target her community choir? What happened to him? How should she react? It’s a journey that takes her to the edge of reason, science, politics and faith.
Greig's 2013 drama, which premiered at the Traverse Theatre as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and won the Carol Tamber Best of Edinburgh Award in 2013, is revived here in a new staging by Cumbernauld Theatre and Wonder Fools. With a team of incredible creatives at the helm, 'The Events' is not only a daring, thought-provoking play, it's a wonderfully presented, polished work that showcases the best of Scottish Theatre production.
Becky Minto's set and Lizzie Powell's lighting are breathtaking. As the light peeks through the high stacks of chairs that surround Priest Claire's community choir rehearsal, it could be any church hall, any community centre, any multi-purpose room anywhere in the world. But what starts as a bright and cheerful choir rehearsal soon darkens in tone and in reality. It's brilliantly done.
As the audience enter the auditorium at Cumbernauld Theatre, the choir are rehearsing. The audience are offered tea and coffee (yes real drinks!) and are invited to join in the singing. It's such a warm and welcoming environment. But I had read the blurb; I knew what was coming! I was anxious and on the edge of my seat waiting to see what what happen next. How would they move us from this jovial atmosphere to one of tragedy and horror.
Leading the choir and the show, Claire Lamont is phenomenal. Her anguished, honest Priest Claire is filled with anger and a desire for revenge, but she is also tortured by her need to understand what happened to The Boy. Lamont's performance both broke my heart and horrified me when her inner thoughts were revealed. She's outstanding.
The perpetrator, "The Boy" is never named. Much like the incident is simply known as "The Events". They are too awful to name perhaps. Sam Stopford gives a magnificent performance. He not only plays 'the boy' but every other character who interacts with Claire too, from her partner Catriona, to her psychiatrist, a politician and a journalist. This is a stroke of genius writing from Grieg - it's as if the boy is haunting her. He intrudes every aspect of her life. So clever. And Stopford nails every character, every emotion along the way. It's remarkable. And terrifying.
Alongside the professional actors, this cast also includes a specially created community choir from across North Lanarkshire led by Clare Haworth. The choir all do a brilliant job and have a lot more to do in the play than I expected. With intelligent direction from Jack Nurse, the action flows seamlessly. The combined company of twenty or so performers weave purposefully across the stage and the chairs become not only decor but props.
'The Events' can be tough to watch at times but it's purely psychological. For anyone concerned, as I was, don't worry - we never see an actual gun or anyone being shot. But the play isn't any less dramatic for choosing to omit visual violence.
Despite premiering in 2013, The Events is unfortunately no less relevant today. This unsettling play leaves us with many unanswered questions, doubts and themes to ponder. Is there a solution to the mass shootings that continue to plague our world? How do we deal with the rise of extremism? Are we helpless? Are we alone? What is community? There is so much to debate and so many contrasting opinions.
I was lucky to attend a Q&A with writer David Greig immediately after this performance at Cumbernauld Theatre and he was honest: he also doesn't know the answers. How brave is that!? Greig has put this piece of theatre out into the world as a study of how humans react to the unfathomable, of how we survive and as catalyst for discussion, rather than a play that pretends to have all the answers. And in that respect he's been entirely successful. Like every piece of great theatre 'The Events' is a show that needs to be seen and begs to be discussed. It will stay with me for a long time. Don't miss 'The Events' at Cumbernauld Theatre this October.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Events plays at Cumbernauld Theatre from Saturday 28 September to Saturday 5 October 2024. Audio Described Performance - Friday 4 October, 7.30pm
Ticket prices: £10 - £17
For tickets and full listings information call the box office on 01236 732887 or visit https://lanternhousearts.org
Jack Nurse, Director of The Events, said: ‘I could not be more thrilled to be directing The Events by David Greig. It is a modern Scottish classic and feels like it was written for today. It's been a particular pleasure to start a new choir from scratch in North Lanarkshire who we have been collaborating with since June. We have an outstanding professional cast in Claire Lamont and Sam Stopford who are bringing the play to life with extraordinary vitality and skill. I can't wait for audiences to see their work.’
The Events Cast & Creatives
Cast:
Claire Lamont and Sam Stopford
Cast also includes a specially created community choir from across North Lanarkshire
Creative Team:
Writer David Greig
Director Jack Nurse
Composer John Browne
Community Choir Director Clare Haworth
Set Design Becky Minto
Lighting Design Lizzie Powell
Sound Design Gary Cameron
📸 Production photos: Mihaela Bodlovic
The Events review, David Greig play, Cumbernauld Theatre, Wonder Fools 2024.
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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