Suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 45 in the UK, and playwright Alex McSweeney shines a laser on this very real issue in DISTANCE.Whilst it is an accomplished examination of the anguish and mental illness which develops in one man Steven (Adam Burton), the play is also blessed with some beautifully funny moments. Primarily set aboard a train carriage where Stephen is travelling north to a job interview, he encounters a former colleague Alan (Abdul Salis) who is in direct competition for the same role. During their catch-up, it transpires that Steven’s marriage has hit the rocks which has impacted on his home situation and the relationship with his young son. Life’s downward spiral is well underway and through a sequence of neatly interwoven flashbacks, various tipping-point arguments and confrontations are revealed.
The remaining characters: Sonja (Steven’s estranged wife played by Lindsay Fraser), The Duke (a ticket avoiding, guitar-strumming, fellow passenger delivered with comedic aplomb by Richard Corgan) and Folami a religious do-gooder sensitively delivered by Doreene Blackstock who is also featured in scenes as a sassy waitress and ticket inspector), add nuance, structure, variety and a good deal of humour to the piece.
One of the strongest elements of the production is the choreographed stage movement, which requires the actors to traverse various set components which are suspended, turned and slid on and off stage to create living spaces and the train carriage (complete with a perpetually projected view of the passing countryside). A great deal of time thought and energy has clearly gone into this aspect and it has added handsomely to the stylised look and feel of the final production. All credit to the creative team Bethany Wells, Dan Saggars, Alexandra Faye Braithwaite and Ian William Galloway who have done a sterling job under the assured guidance of director Simon Pittman.
As the male lead, it falls to Adam Burton to carry the weighty message and he demonstrates a searing honesty in conveying the various stages of anger, frailty, helplessness, vulnerability and desperation.
DISTANCE ranks as one of Park Theatre’s more accomplished offerings of recent years, which is reflective of the strength of talents involved.
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