Review: THE LIGHT HOUSE, Park Theatre London
Photo credit: Ant Robling
Being there for your loved ones isn't always easy, especially when the person doesn't want to be alive. Alys Williams's debut play invites the audience into a bittersweet emotional journey at the Park Theatre. Sharing Alys and Nathan's story, The Light House deals with a very intricate adult topic with a beautiful children's tale approach, tackling hardship with innocence, purity, and heartfelt conversations; making the audience a part of the story as they navigate through mental health and wellbeing.
Williams’ brilliant writing introduces a different angle of wellbeing that people rarely talk about. Supporting someone who struggles with mental health could be hard. The overwhelming feeling of always having to be the strong and positive one. Williams’ story shows us we are not alone. It is okay to have your own life, emotions, and struggles while supporting someone you love.
Director Andrea Heaton, co-Artistic Director of Fidget Theatre, and also a children's book author, brings innocence to the storytelling, making the heavy topic digestible for the audience. The variety of devices used in storytelling constantly offers the audience something new to chew on. The clever, well-thought-out audience interactions take away the awkwardness of participation by simplifying the tasks, winning the audience over from the top of the show. The set design by Emma Williams is minimal yet effective, utilising moving pieces as if we are in a rehearsal room, allowing imaginations to fly. Matthew Carnazza's appealing lighting design and Ed Heaton's well-rounded sound design bring warmth to the production, creating the perfect atmosphere it needs. The two movement directors, Maya Carroll and Rod Dixon, certainly tune to the actor's strong suit, bringing an exciting physical approach to a one-woman show.
Williams is a marvellous physical actor. Her strong Lecoq background is more than visible, incorporating her diverse training in puppetry. The variety of skills she includes in her performance is clever and exciting. With a big amount of audience interaction, Williams handles every single one with calm and welcoming energy, making the audience feel as if she truly believes in each and every one of us. The chemistry that Williams creates with the audience on stage is certainly fulfilling to see. Under such a delicate storyline, some bits of the performance fall flat from pushing for emotion.
The Light House brings laughter and tears, trusting each and every audience member to hold and support one another whilst Williams tells a heartfelt story. Approaching mental health and wellbeing with a fresh angle, the show conveys an important message while bringing everyone together by truly creating the magic of theatre.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Diana Feng
The Light House plays at Park Theatre London until 13 April, with further information here.