Review: ALL ON HER OWN, MZG Theatre Productions

Photo credit: Danny Kaan

Great playwrights know how to capture you and how to write content that we can all relate to, that touches us and lays bare the truth of certain situations. Terence Rattigan’s one woman play All On Her Own is a prime example of a great play.

The play focus upon Rosemary Hodge, a recent widower who sits alone in her house one night and talking to her dead husband, she spills all of her internal thoughts, memories and secrets. 

In this sparkling adaptation of the 1968 play, Janie Dee takes up the role of Rosemary Hodge and delivers a sterling performance. The audience is taken on an emotional roller coaster of a journey with Hodge and her bottle of whiskey.

Death is such a torrid subject to display so honestly. It is something that we have all experienced in our lives and can all relate to, and Dee offers us a reflection of grief in such a truthful performance.

Dee is outstanding as she takes Rattigan’s words and injects life into them. You never doubt that whatever happened to her husband, she is the real tragedy unfolding right before your eyes. The piece may be laced with sardonic humour but this woman is in pain and this comes across constantly; displaying loss, regret and guilt in insightful ways.

The way she exceptionally delivers the monologue, you can sense differing emotions in her voice through venom, anger, guilt and sorrow. They may be Rattigan’s words but Dee and MZG Productions are in control of the tempo, pace and delivery of the performance. 

MZG Productions have done an excellent job with this piece, with Jack Maple and Brian Zeilinger-Goode heading the revival, directed by Alistair Knights with Jack McCann as assistant director. The production values of the piece are as important as the acting as it gives Dee the stage for her performance. 

The living room is set up as a cosy, middle-class living space, reflecting aspects of the monologue and giving you insight into the stature of the characters involved. The lighting is dim, displaying that it is night time but also reflecting her isolation. A lot of the colours used are neutral browns, creams and greys, allowing Dee to be the centre of attention.

For a piece that originally began life in 1968 and has seen numerous outings since, most notably starring Zoe Wanamaker. Sometimes it is difficult not to compare but this piece should stand up on its own merit as a piece of wonderful theatre for us all to enjoy.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Littler

The show will be available to stream for eight performances only via stream.theatre from 16 to 21 February 2021.

More information about the production is available here.