Review of Bright colours only

"Soda bread, coffins and tea" by Lorraine Smith for remotegoat on 12/07/09

As soon as I'm at the box office I'm already being welcomed in by a warm and polite middle-aged lady. The performance has begun and it's interactive, but comfortably so; I'm offered sandwiches, biscuits and a cup of tea. I seem to have gotten myself accidentally invited to a slightly sombre Irish Wake! The set is a replica of a homely dated living room, aided by the intimacy of the Baron's Court Theatre, and arouses memories of visits to distant relatives. And as actor Susan Cummins talks the audience through the workings and accessories of a coffin, I realise just how claustrophobic the space really is!

Bright Colours Only is a one-woman show by Irish Theatre Company INDA UK, and is full of family histories, personal histories, Irish histories and some extremely compelling childhood memories and fears. Pauline Goldsmith's script is poignant, darkly witty and sad. Susan Cummins' performance is enthralling; she is the perfect embodiment of a catholic woman, reminding me just how much I really need to go visit my Irish Godmother who I haven't seen in months. The script and performance is enhanced further by the use of some thought-provoking visuals viewed on an old television box.

This play really interrogates the theme of death from an Irish perspective, looking at faith and the pointless details and regrets of life. And although this piece had some slightly scary moments, I left the theatre with an uplifting outlook on death. Bright Colours Only is a well executed piece of theatre that even the Grim Reaper would be proud of, and I'd be very intrigued to see how this interactive gem would work with a much larger audience. INDA UK is definitely worth keeping an eye out for in the future.

Event Venues & Times
finished	Barons Court | 28a Comeragh Road, Barons Court, London, W14 9HR

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