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The Long Way Home
by Charles Way
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Theatr Fach hosted Hi Jinx Theatre Company from Cardiff on 20th October for a performance of ‘The Long Way Home’ by Charles Way. Directed by Louise Osborn, ‘The Long Way Home’ is a traditional folk tale from the heart of old Europe, brought magically to life through towering physical storytelling and music. A beautifully poignant story of friendship, danger and humour as two travellers face many hazards on their long journey. An old woman, recently widowed, decides to walk home to the seaside village of her birth, a journey which will take her through dark woods, fertile plains and over snow-capped mountains. She encounters a young boy in the forest whose only means of communication is to bark like a dog, and the two become unlikely travelling companions. This old woman, beautifully played by Alex Alderton, dressed all in black is taking the long way home. This is an exceptionally moving performance. Award winning playwright Charles Way’s story is a fascinating one and Louise Osborn’s clever direction allows the story to develop fully in this enthralling production. The old mother is the heart of this story, her crumpled figure moving around the stage through the mountains until she reaches the sea, commenting on and helping all who cross her path. The story begins with a howl to the moon. The four cast members filled the little theatre with an edgy harmony in a strong chorus that brought us to the edge of our seats. Then we see Dogboy wailing to the skies and in an extraordinarily athletic performance actor John Norton brought this character to life. He becomes the first chapter in Old Mother’s story, a young boy who is convinced he is a dog, a frightened and dangerous dog. He snaps and growls at the old lady but here her wisdom and humanity are revealed, she looks beyond the dog and sees the real boy, she wins his confidence and they journey on together. Zoë Davies and Darren Stokes act as narrators linking each of the scenes and play the entire series of protagonists that Mother and boy have to face on their way. From the role of the Old Mother’s late husband to mountain bandit, apple grower and wooden post maker Darren is animated and convincing. Zoë Davies has a hard edge as a bandit and brings softness and vulnerability to the role of café owner who eventually becomes the wife of the young man that Dogboy turns into. The production gives us so much from its small, picturesque and very portable set which has to be reasonably easy for the cast to pack away in a van to enable Hijinx Theatre to continue its mission to take theatre to small places like Theatr Fach. |
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