Far Away, Donmar Warehouse - ★★★ - Until April 4, 2020


Caryl Churchill's short one act play Far Away is beautifully staged and performed, but it leaves one ultimately dissatisfied. It is like an appetiser which whets the appetite but is not followed by a meal. The atmosphere is wonderfully created and the audience is immediately intrigued by what a young girl staying with her uncle and aunt has seen in the middle of the night. All the sense of impending horror that we usually associate with a Stephen King novel is set up. Then, we enter into another zone which is more reminiscent of George Orwell's post-apocalyptic vision. Our curiosity and apprehension is turned towards the premises and predictions involved in this strange dystopian future. It does all come together as we see that it is the very harmony of nature that has been undermined, but still the lack of character development and the rather thin plot make this seem less a play than an animated concept. Aisling Loftus and Simon Manyonda work well together as Joan and Todd while Jessica Hynes is totally believable as Harper, the aunt with a secret. Their performances were a wonderful naturalistic counterpoint to the narrative. We saw Sophia Ally as the young Joan and were quite amazed by the maturity of her performance. Lyndsey Turner's direction was solid and Lizzie Clachan's set beautifully reflected the box of conundrums being opened. The high production standards of Donmar Warehouse continue to elevate all the work they do.

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Johan Persson.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆ 

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until April 4, 2020
Mon - Sat: 7:30 pm, Thu & Sat: 2:30 pm
Donmar Warehouse
Nearest tube: Covent Garden
https://www.donmarwarehouse.com/production/7419/far-away/

Most Popular

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Good Night, Oscar ★★★★ Barbican Centre | Jul 31 - Sep 21, 2025

The Daughter of Time ★★★ Charing CrossTheatre | Jul 18 - Sep 13, 2025

Brigadoon ★★★★ Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | Aug 2 - Sep 20, 2025

Every Brilliant Thing (with Lenny Henry) ★★★ @sohoplace | Aug 1 - Nov 8, 2025

Saving Mozart ★★ The Other Palace | Jul 28 - Aug 30, 2025

Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby ★★★ Sadler's Wells Theatre | August 5 - 16, 2025

The Diana Mixtape ★★★ HERE at Outernet | Jul 28 - Aug 10, 2025

A Role To Die For ★★★★ Marylebone Theatre | Jul 26 - Aug 30, 2025

Inter Alia ★★★★★ National Theatre | Jul 10 - Sep 13, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings