The sectarian divide in Northern Ireland is an evocative relocation for Shakespeare’s plot of Romeo and Juliet.
Translated into Ronan and Julia, this production uses a number of effective techniques for telling the story that holds your attention from beginning to the inevitable end.
The cast, throughout, form a montage that captures the sullenness of attitudes that seem to pervade both sides. The fight scenes at the beginning are well rehearsed and credible and set the tone of physicality for the piece. The music played on stage is enhanced by clever use of percussion.
The style is described as ‘folk’ and carries the sobriety of the story.
There are strong performances all round with the interaction between the young couple a highlight.
In this version of the story, Julia is about to settle for a ‘safe’ marriage with someone from her own background to appease her father who has an aggressive distaste for Catholics. Along comes Ronan and it’s a match made in hell as far as family and friends see it, with the inevitable consequences akin to ‘West Side Story’.
While a show lasting an hour does not lend itself to huge character development, ‘Last Embrace’ is well directed and performed and deserving of a larger audience in one of the Fringe’s more comfortable venues.
Runs til 25 August, 4.05pm