Fringe review: HAVISHAM, Emul8 Productions - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

If you knew my story, your heart would break too. Escaping a traumatic childhood, a young woman arrives in London. She soon finds herself as 'the leading lady in a drama she can't comprehend'. The gaslighting is subtle, the manipulation slick. Can she escape or is she destined to relive the devastation of past events? As the embodiment of stuck trauma and malignant rage, Miss Havisham both fascinates and repels. But how did she arrive at this place and what are the tragic secrets?

Written and performed by Heather Alexander, Havisham joins the dots and fills the gaps that have ever raised questions from Dicken's classic story, Great Expectations. The dark, stone hearted character of Miss Havisham breathes new life, as we learn what happened to her in her early life to turn her into the bitter and revengeful woman that she became.

Alexander's portrayal is an embodiment of storytelling and reenactment as she reverts back to the childhood Havisham. It's a painful, yet acceptable story. It all suddenly makes sense. Dominique Gerrard's direction is complementary to the script, nothing defers from the text and the audience's attention is easily focused.

This is a beautifully crafted piece of theatre, whether you are a fan of Dickens or not. The story stands strong alone, as an example of how trauma can affect the human spirit.

A cobwebbed tale of heartbreak.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Havisham plays in Playground 1 at ZOO Playground at 7pm until 27 August.