The title of this Selma Dimitrijevic written and directed play doesn’t give anything away for audiences in this heart-warming two hander production.
Examining the complicated but strong bond between mother and her daughter Annie, this observational piece has a feeling of Groundhog Day about it but shows how our individual actions changes our relationships with other people.
But the main point of the play is to show how children learn that ultimately their parents are flawed and how it affects their relationship with them.
It is a very basic production in terms of the design that really focuses on the two central characters of the piece with no other distractions getting in the way. However effective it might be in gaining the audience’s attention, it does make the production feel empty and soulless.
But despite this it is a funny and poignant piece of theatre that is really touching to watch – particularly in the final scene when they try to understand each other as people not just as mother and daughter.
This show is particularly interesting because it doesn’t feature two female actresses playing the roles but two male actors. Sean Campion (Mother) and Scott Turnbull (Annie) provide an interesting perspective of what men feel a mother and daughter relationship would be like. Both perform excellently in conveying the rising exasperation in the daughter and the inquisitiveness of the mother that I’m sure many mothers and daughters experience.
While there are some lovely tender moments between the pair, occasionally Dimitrijevic’s writing can become a little bit blunt and that in turn can make it difficult to emotionally engage with the production.
Throughout, the audience is made to feel as though they are intruding in something that is very personal and private but at the same time is captivated by the affectionate performances of Campion and Turnbull.
The final moments in the play are about acceptance and understanding in this particular mother and daughter relationship – and are done in a way that as you leave the theatre you find yourself thinking about your relationship with your parents and how you should make the most of it.
Overall, it is a lovely piece of observational theatre which is thought provoking and has the power to make you change how you view your parents.
The Greyscale production of Gods are Fallen and All Safety Gone is performing at the Camden People’s Theatre until 31st May.