The Stage

Hand in Hand

Published Wednesday 4 February 2009 at 18:20 by Jon Holliday

This complex and absorbing stand-alone play about family relationships and making friends within one’s community completes Chris Cooper’s fine trilogy. The scene has changed from the Welsh coalfields and schoolyards of Morgiana’s Dance and Angel to an isolated hilltop in mid-Wales. A ten-year-old girl persists in trying to get to know a reclusive woman whose remote cottage holds tragic secrets. Tantalising scraps of its history are scrawled on the walls, only revealed when ghosts from the past disrupt the present with surprising consequences.

Shot through with humour both subtle and broad, Ian Yeoman’s imaginative staging, puzzling at times, is poignant and powerful, leading to an intensely moving climax. At the heart of the action is the telling performance of Olwen Medi, who conveys convincingly the violent mood swings of the embittered recluse Derys as she is forced to face her emotional past. Naomi Doyle is most appealing in her contrasting characterisations of the young Carys and her protective mother. Danie Croft as the ghostly younger Derys gives a richly fey portrayal. Xeni Berisha is well cast as the mysterious incomer, while Chris Batten effectively doubles the local do-gooder and the menacing father of the young girl.

Set and costumes are designed by Liz Young. The soundscape, including some realistic evoking of battlefields and lively Elvis rock ‘n’ roll, is by Dan Lawrence. Hand in Hand’s five-week tour visits 22 venues across Wales and England.