Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children is a bit of an odd play. Kirkwood is better known for their work on TV shows such as Skins and The Smoke. The Children is about a nuclear disaster somewhere on the northern coast of the United Kingdom. Former nuclear power plant workers Hazel and Robin have fled from the disaster zone but stay close by, mourning the loss of the simplicity of retired life.
Enter their old friend Rose (superbly embodied by Hilary Spiers), who has seemingly come to talk about old times. This is an apocalyptic tale, one inspired by various real-world events. Really, it’s a drama about death; the only fantasy or speculative fiction elements are that they hang around the exclusion zone for too long.
We saw a production of this play by the Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group, one of the UK’s most well-respected amateur theatre companies, and were impressed on every level. Not only was this tightly directed and produced, but the performances were simply superb. Richard Godden was especially notable as Robin, an ageing, horny old man who has come to terms with their own mortality, and this performance worked brilliantly with Wendy Mathison as Hazel, a woman determined to live forever or die trying in the attempt.
Set design was strong, as was sound and presentation. The Children isn’t commonly produced, so if you get a chance, do seek this one out.
Excellent work from the Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group.
Find out more about the EGTG here.
