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

At the Torch

The Torch Theatre- A Prayer for Wings , Torch Theatre, Milford Haven , February 15, 2001

Welsh dramatist Sean Mathias' piece takes a simple theme - the bonds and bindings of family duty - and turns it into a bleak but riveting morality tale at the Torch Theatre.

The cast of three (Helen Griffin, Catrin Rhys and Ben McKay) contribute fine acting to the timeless tragedy of the love/hate relationship between carer and the cared-for, given an eighties setting by Mathias.

Ostracised by their neighbours, a wheelchair-bound mother and her young daughter live in impoverished isolation in a disused Swansea church.

The simple but claustrophobic set by James Humphrey is dominated by the church window, and religious metaphors abound.

As the God-fearing , working-class, stereotypical Welsh mam disabled by multiple sclerosis, Griffin is excellent. Physically limited by the character's disability, her facial expression speaks volumes.

As played by Rhys, the daughter Rita is no angel. Rita's frustration is barely contained as she encircles her mother's neck with her arms. Is it an affectionate caress or a murderous, Judas-like embrace?

Rhys' voice cracks with emotion, as she fantasises about getting 'a life'.

By exploiting the device of allowing the characters to confide in the audience, director Peter Doran evokes sympathy for mother and daughter.

In two raw scenes we see plain and dumpy Rita relieving the tedium of her existence by satisfying the sexual needs of the layabout local lads (all played to great effect by McKay).

The lilting Swansea dialect sits easily with the actors, and the west Wales audience enjoyed Mathias' witty Welsh in-jokes.

Reviewed by: Vivien Stoddart (The Stage)

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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (14 May 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)
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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 Michael Kelligan (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (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 Janet Bott (07 December 2001)
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 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 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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