When young ornithologist, John, falls through the door of an abandoned chapel on an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides, he actually tumbles into a complex world that will test both his conventional moral values and his belief system. On this ostensibly "scientific" sojourn intended to catalogue the birdlife of the island, he is accompanied by his fellow ornithologist and super-nerd Robert. The latter represents a dispassionate, scientific approach to life that is often humorous, and he curiously finds common ground with Ellen, the niece of the island's owner, who is significantly named Kirk. While the latter represents the judgmental, religious ethos of society, his niece comes to embody the pagan, passionate and artistic side of life. Robert accepts his immediate animal attraction to Ellen. John, on the other hand, is torn between his desire for her and his conventional conservative upbringing. While Robert's rational, amoral and scientific approach to sexuality converges with Ellen's passionate paganism, John is unsure if he can go where they are leading. The allure of Ellen is strong as is the persuasiveness of Robert, and the question ultimately becomes whether John will succumb to the power of nature or respect the tenets of his social/religious upbringing? David Greig has written a dark allegory which is a fascinating study of an individual caught between the two sides of himself and which in the end becomes a commentary on the way humans choose to live in the world. Do we accept that we are part of nature, or do we choose to stand apart from it and, perhaps, cause its destruction? Outlying Islands asks some profound questions which are nicely wrapped in an amusing thriller that is marked by some excellent performances. Bruce Langley is delightful as the impetuous, unsentimental scientist, Robert, and Whitney Kehinde is compelling as the pagan who finds her imagination expressed in the relatively new art of film. As the pious, yet equally mercenary, Kirk, Kevin McMonagle is simply perfect, and Fred Woodley-Evans as John manages to convincingly convey the protagonist's predicament – an ego torn between the Id and superego if the play were simply read in Freudian terms. Outlying Islands offers the audience a lot to think about, but at the same time it recounts an intriguing tale supported by some first-rate performances.
Rated: ★★★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Alex Brenner
When, Where, Getting there:
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