Theatre Review: Braided
Written and Directed by Laura Walker
Produced by Molly Warner and Yasmin Coffey
Reviewed by Lara Thain
The Barron Theatre fills with emotional music and one thing becomes strikingly clear as Shona (Ellie McKay) faces down the audience, Larua Walker has a way with words. When seeing student-written theatre, one has no idea what to expect and low expectations. Braided not only exceeds expectations by a mile but raises the bar for student theatre with its eloquent monologues and careful direction.
Braided is a play about love and how often love feels like betrayal. It takes us into the minds of a family after a life-altering tragedy. Through their testimonies, the audience is slowly led to the truth surrounding this tragedy and the conflicting feelings that surround it. We first hear Shona’s perspective as she defends her daughter Alison (Natalie Westgor) and as she questions whether she loved her enough. McKay gives an emotional performance, making it more devastating when the audience realizes Shona cannot cure Alison with love. Next, we hear from Alison’s sister, Joanie (Poppy Kimitris). Kimitris draws the audience in and forces you to feel Joanie’s frustration. The complicated relationship between Alison and Joanie is shown between testimonies and helps to keep the audience engaged. Alison is the last to speak to the audience. Westgor makes the audience sympathize with Alison, despite her actions, causing the ending to become even more devastating. The three actresses work in harmony, fostering a deep sense of empathy and devastation for this family.
It is not only the acting and writing that stands out in Braided but also the technical production. From the performance, it is obvious that special care went into the lighting and sound design. Melancholic music punctuates the monologues at pivotal moments, especially during Shona’s initial testimony and Joanie’s pleading. The lighting also helps set the mood for the audience to connect with the small family, helping to create moments of tension between scenes. The set is sparse and does not distract from the performance itself but is used expertly, helping to maintain the intimate atmosphere of the Barron Theatre. Movement is also vital throughout Braided; the rigorous work by the movement coordinators (Kennedy Herron & Lochlan Walsh) shines through exceptionally in the two parallel waxing scenes between Alison and her mother and sister respectively.
I couldn’t help but long for more once the hour-long play finished. Braided starts emotionally and ends emotionally. Walker’s careful direction forces the audience to be at the edge of their seat the entire performance and be engaged through each scene. From emotional acting to carefully considered technical production, Braided is an incredible piece of student theatre and a pleasure to watch.
