Alcoholism is a tide that rips through families, bringing silent suffering not just to the addict but to those around them. As a child of a single alcoholic father, Bo (Catherine Ashdown) is reserved and quiet. In her relationship with her father Grud (Karl Theobald), she is the parent – tidying up after him and listening to his nonsensical rantings.
Aicha (Kadiesha Belgrave) is a whimsical and quirky character who goes to sixth-form college with Bo. They form a friendship over their shared interest in space and academics. Bo is a hard worker and admits that she didn’t know how to read or write in primary school. Both characters work well together, with Aicha being unapologetically herself, she is the perfect person to help bring Bo out of her shell. However, the writing depicting teenage conversation was not particularly believable and despite Sarah Power’s young age, seemed rather removed from actual dialect that would be used.
Noemi Daboczi’s set was clever in its staging, separating two areas with a sliding ramp. Later used for symbolic moments like Grud’s drink spilling into the classroom – it makes for a clever take on the separation children feel the need to have when growing up with an alcoholic parent.
Solid performances from all three actors, with particular mention to Theobald who gives a convicting depiction of a drunk alcoholic and all the dark energy that comes with that.
At points the play feels rather slow paced, with many stares and silences and not much context or character development. The audience is merely given a peak into their lives. The girls are working on a project for space club which takes up a reasonable amount of stage time, perhaps to allow for the friendship to build. However, Aicha is not given her own story and is rather there for her comedic relief which may be necessary with such a heavy topic.
The story does inspire thought on the destruction of alcoholism on a family, particularly a child and the developmental implications such neglect can bring. Especially in a country like England where drinking is so normalised, it can be easy to overlook when it has been taken too far and Grud certainly sheds a light on this serious conversation.
Written by: Sarah Power
Directed by: Jaz Woodcock- Stewart
Starring: Catherine Ashdown, Kadiesha Belgrave and Karl Theobald
Designer: Noemi Daboczi
Venue: Hampstead Theatre, Downstairs
Running time: 1 hour and 30 minutes (no interval)
Review by Sofia Moran