The Brightening Air
Review by James
⭐⭐
Family reunions and ensuing drama are as predictable as the rising and setting of the sun, however the family drama of The Brightening Air is anything but.
Written and directed by renowned Irish playwright Conor McPherson – his first in 12 years – The Brightening Air is enjoying its world premiere at The Old Vic. Inspired by a W.B. Yeats poem about the tragedy of dreams meeting reality, the play tackles a range of weighty issues from depression and fraying family bonds to the mysticism of folklore and religion. And therein lies the problem; it is trying to do far too much from the confines of a humble kitchen and a two-hour runtime.
A farmhouse in 1980s County Sligo sets the scene for this combustible drama. The tension simmers as a dysfunctional family reunites amidst disagreements over ownership of the crumbling property. They’re stuck and disinclined to move forward.
The story takes a mystical turn as Dermot’s ex-wife seeks a fabled love potion and the siblings’ blind uncle Father Pierre (bizarrely delivered as a Bidenesque caricature) arrives with messianic talk. The embittered, delusional uncle drives the play to its absurdist finale, featuring a messy fight sequence and a new cult.
McPherson has assembled an all-star cast anchored by the bickering brothers Dermot (Chris O’Dowd) and Stephen (Brendan Gleeson). O’Dowd delivers a decent performance as an arrogant businessman carelessly crushing his loyal ex-wife as he parades his young girlfriend, but it is little sister Billie that stands out. Rosie Sheehy deftly provides a sensitive portrayal of autism and enhances her reputation as one of theatre’s great talents.
The rustic staging works well but the irregular upstage shadow-based scenes are hard to follow, while an unexpected interlude down the Ganges is visually arresting but misses its intended reincarnation target. Dialogue is also occasionally lost amidst overcrowded scenes.
In true Chekovian fashion, there’s a lot to take in. On this occasion, the competing themes struggle for room to breathe. Humorous moments abound but this journey of melancholy into the surreal left me unmoved.