A 90th birthday party seems like a great time for a family reunion but in this play, it becomes a whole unravelling of secrets, old resentments and history that lives in our bones. There are four generations of women in this family celebrating the birthday of the matriarch, great-grandmother Eileen. She is a curmudgeon who is dismissive, feisty and swears at the drop of a hat. Grandmother Gilly is flitting all over the place, trying to manage the party, obsessively buying like we are about to go on another lockdown and teetering on the edge. Mother Jenny is busy with work, trying to support her daughter, not discuss the troubles of her own marriage and seething with long-held anger and hurt. Teenage daughter Muireann is fighting for the planet and struggling with everything. These are four different women but connected with their genes.
The set is beautifully designed with a full kitchen, the stairs for the house in the background. Behind each door the cupboards hold secrets. The four women, a powerhouse of a cast, bring their strength and every ounce of energy to this performance: it is a fast-paced show. The performers inhabit the space well, with the direction and choreography of movement telling so much of the story in the way in which everyone moves within the space. The text is skilful in the way it sounds so natural and yet conveys the underlying feelings that are smouldering within the family.
Consumed has many meanings. There is the literal consumption of items, which include food – where food equals love, support, care; purchases – boxes of items stored in cupboards, plastic bags in cupboards, stocking up just in case; family consuming us – history that is in the past but ever present in feelings; and heritage consuming – that which is handed down through the generations, impacting in ways that we may not even realise. The family dynamic grows more out of control the further along we go. There is a surreal moment at the end of the play that is not immediately clearly connected. However, this is well written and well performed, an intense, layered exploration of what makes us be who we are.
Show Time: 20-24 Aug @ various times
Running time: 80mins
Ticket Prices: £5-£25
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/consumed
Warnings: Contains scenes of violence, strong references to death and suicide, strong language/swearing, flashing lights, loud noises, and distressing or potentially triggering themes.
Accessibility and enhanced performances: Traverse 1 has a steep rake so if you have any access requirements, there is level access into the building via lift. Duty Manager will show customers into the theatre to their seat/space. If not taking the lift there are 29 steep steps from the Bar to Stage Level of Traverse 1. Wheelchair access type: Lift (Building Lift). Stairs: 20+. Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above. If you have access requirements, please contact the Sales and Welcome Team on [email protected] or 0131 228 1404 so they can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else they can best support your visit.
Age suitability: 14+ (Guideline). Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket. Policy applies to: Children under 2 years.