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 8, 2001

THERE are, you must be warned, not many laughs in Sean Matthias’s bleak study of hopelessness and depression, as a mother crippled with multiple sclerosis and her plain, dumpy daughter tell us about their wretched lives down Swansea way.
But if you can cope with the anguish and discomfort, then Peter Doran’s excellent production at the Torch (and touring Wales soon) is a gripping piece of theatre.

Helen Griffin and Catrin Rhys are impressive as the mother who hates men and the daughter who so desperately wants to love them.

This is hardly the stuff of comedy. Both women want to escape on the wings of desire. Mam looks to God and chocolate bars, Rita to the pimply lads on the rec. She dreams of a real gentleman who won’t just want to interfere with her. Each earns our sympathy and then our disapproval.

The Torch production in a way offers more than the play deserves. As a piece of social realism or allegory, A Prayer For Wings may be clever, affecting, challenging and sensitive but it also carries with it hints of misogyny, of a patronising elitism, a play about Welsh working-class women by an ex-Welsh privileged male.

Doran’s delicate and perceptive direction and accomplished cast allow us to get hints of this darker side to a work that has become almost a modern Welsh classic.

Reviewed by: Ron Waters

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

At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (02 May 2024)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (08 December 2023)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (07 December 2023)
At the Torch- reviewed by Darryl Dickson (04 October 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 May 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (12 March 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Eifion Jenkins (20 February 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (04 December 2017)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (18 October 2017)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (13 October 2017)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (20 August 2016)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2016)
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)
At the Torch- reviewed by John Cole (13 March 2013)
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 (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)
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 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 Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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