Denial
Heritage Theatre presents Bristol Old Vic's World Premiere production, Directed for the stage by Andy Hay
A family is torn apart by memories of events that happened twenty years ago. When Matthew and Karen's daughter Jenny pays a visit to a therapist, she unlocks a secret history of stark childhood images, stripped of their innocence. But have these memories been recovered -or invented? Arnold Wesker, one of Britain's leading post-war dramatists is author of such landmark plays as Roots, The Kitchen, Chips With Everything and Shylock. The World Premier of this taut, psychological drama has been hailed as a tremendous critical success.
Member Reviews
2.5 stars for a sensitive subject play - AvidOscarBee
This is a play about the life of Jenny (Nicola Barber) who thinks she has been molested by her father, Matthew (Jeremy Child) and her grandfather, Ziggy (Bill Wallis) and meets with her therapist, Valerie Morgan (Susan Tracy) to seek help in coping with it.
The play opens with Jenny's mother, Karen (Rosemary McHale) and her father, Matthew watching a home movie. Then they listen to a volatile and hateful voice mail message left by Jenny who curses out her father and says that he will never see his two grandchildren and he is a horrible father who abused her and she hates him.
Jenny discusses this with her sister, Abigail (Dido Miles) who is having a hard time believing that the abuse happened and thinks that Jenny might just be stressed, angry and exaggerating the facts for attention.
Matthew speaks to Sandy (Ellie Haddington), who is a documentary writer and he is trying to get some insight on why his daughter is making such dreadful accusations.
As Jenny continues to see Valerie, her therapist, and seeks advice, but Valerie tells her that she can only provide options not advice. Jenny begins to wonder why she is paying to see her. Jenny's parents have been married for 30 years and this is shocking news for them that Jenny said this happened to her.
All of these events happen in just 3 tiny rooms [the therapist's office, the living room and the stage (hallway)]. I felt the play could have had more depth and had more character development which would have made you feel for Jenny or better understand her parents. There are tempers flaring, volatile language and much anger which I suppose is good for those who have gone through this to be able to relate. Otherwise, I was not moved by this play whatsoever.
There is much dialogue for the 7 cast members that is executed well but it didn't help me to feel empathy for Jenny which I think is due to
the lack of character development. I do enjoy plays but not this one.
Member Reviews
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2.5 stars for a sensitive subject play - AvidOscarBee
This is a play about the life of Jenny (Nicola Barber) who thinks she has been molested by her father, Matthew (Jeremy Child) and her grandfather, Ziggy (Bill Wallis) and meets with her therapist, Valerie Morgan (Susan Tracy) to seek help in coping with it.
The ...