Review of At the Torch from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

At the Torch

Torch Theatre, Milford Haven- Flowers from Tunisia , Torch Theatre, Milford Haven , May 14, 2011

One could be excused in expecting that a drama with dementia as its main theme might be lacking in humour and entertainment, but this is certainly not so with Flowers from Tunisia. Author Laurence Allan has created a finely observed story in which anguish is balanced with humour, intolerance softened by gentleness. It is a story that, at sometime, might be recognised in any loving family.

Christine Pritchard’s wonderful portrayal of Reah is the centrepiece of a drama in which we witness a woman on the cusp of an encroaching private world, normal to her, but inaccessible to her loved ones. She is the rock that her war damaged soldier son Keith so badly needs, and Richard Corgan is so convincing as the humorous, tolerant, angry and frustrated son, struggling to hold together this crumbling rock that is his mother, while dealing with his own inner turmoil.

Despite her vivacity and confidence I suspect that Rose, Reah’s best friend, also depends on that rock. Pamela Merrick's character lifts the atmosphere in every scene and she adopts a different approach to help Reah when, despite Keith’s protest, her seemingly outrageous suggestion for trip to Tunisia becomes reality. Her frailty and anxieties become apparent only when events move outside her control.

I sensed that had Naoufal Ousellam’s handsome character Khalid stepped amongst the audience, with his calm, soothing words, his flower basket would soon have emptied. His youthful recognition yet undemanding acceptance of Reah’s condition is exactly what she needs and as she is introduced to his gentle, inherited culture she is able to rid herself of a long forgotten anguish.

Even Keith, crammed with dogma from the horrors of Afghanistan, is humbled by the events and is given a glimpse of a path he might take to understand and love his new mother.

Joana Ferrao’s set is deceptively simple - a wooden ramp that is one moment a hallway in Reah’s home, an airport carousel, a hummock on the edge of the Sahara desert, and in contrast to the calm within the story, the audio-visual effects provide an effective backdrop of war and the turmoil that is Tunisia.

I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining and thought provoking performance.

Reviewed by: Ron Waters

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There are 81 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:

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At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (04 March 2016)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (13 October 2015)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (09 December 2013)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (03 December 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 November 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Amanda Griffiths (15 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (05 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (03 August 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (16 May 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 May 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (27 April 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (09 June 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (15 December 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (11 October 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (19 August 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (13 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (07 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (04 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (26 April 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (12 December 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (05 April 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (04 December 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (25 October 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters, The Stage (16 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (12 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Terry Johnson, The Stage (15 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (12 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Simon Carr. Western Telegraph (09 December 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (23 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Emma Jones, Western Telegraph (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Walters, Milford Mercury (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 March 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 February 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (10 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (06 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jenny Hanson, Tenby Observer (05 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (31 January 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by JENNY HANSON (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Assorted Edinburgh papers (02 August 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (26 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvet (28 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (21 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Andrews Davies (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by MILFORD & WEST WALES MERCURY (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Keith Johnson, Western Telegaph (13 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tenby Observer (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, Milford Mercury (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Janet Bott (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (05 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (26 October 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (11 September 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (09 August 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victoria Cooper (10 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Elaine Atack (03 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvett (28 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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