A ghostly figure, the free-port and dead crabs are some of the topics between two brothers in mourning. Solely on a beach, they confront their contrasting memories of their father. Mark, played by James Westphal, is the older brother who is gay and hasn’t returned home in years. Meanwhile, Tiny, portrayed by Jerome Yates, has never left their declining hometown of Hartlepool.
Their encounters occur only on the sands of the beach, accompanied by the sound of gulls and the rush of waves around them. Tiny feels a deep connection to the sea and embraces local myths, whereas Mark takes things much more literally, initially…
The story gracefully shifts between humor and seriousness, interweaving moments of sadness and tension between the brothers. Tiny's vulnerable grief starkly contrasts with Mark's suppressed resentment toward his father's homophobic behaviour.
Tim Foley, a writer recognised with numerous awards like the Bruntwood Prize, demonstrates his remarkable talent through the poetic qualities contrasting everyday language in his script. The play tenderly captures the brotherly relationship without veering into sentimentality, while also depicting the backdrop of the north-east's post-industrial decline.
Co-produced by Pentabus and ThickSkin, the delicate script is overshadowed by the massive screen at the back of the stage. Initially, the screen, featuring abstract water images and landscape scenes, appears to effectively create atmosphere and convey watery dread. However, by the end it is overly literal and overpowering, when the effective sound design might have sufficed.
Co-directed by Elle While and Neil Bettles, two wooden beach structures are shifted around on stage between scenes. However, the brothers' movements feel a little overdone.
An environmental message intertwines with the theme of loss, depicted through dead crabs on the beach and polluted water. There's a somewhat forced jab at the Tory Mayor and Brexit.
Despite this, the emotional story brims with truth, sadness, and beauty, delivering an entertaining 80 minutes.
Driftwood plays at The Lowry for an additional evening on the 21st March.
★★★☆☆ (3*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography provided by The Lowry
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