#4. The House of Mirrors and Hearts

The House of Mirrors and Hearts by Eamonn O'Dwyer & Rod Gilbert

Premiere: Arcola Theatre, London (July 2 2015)

Runs until 1 August. Tickets available here.

In a slight deviation from form I wanted to cover this stunning new musical, The House of Mirrors and Hearts, which is playing at the Arcola Theatre until the end of this week. I'm not a reviewer, and that is not what this blog is about, but it is rare that you see new writing of this calibre. 

Written by Eamonn O'Dwyer and Rod Gilbert, The House of Mirrors and Hearts is a new chamber musical about grief, lies, and dysfunctional love. It tells the story of the Keanes, a family who's lives were shattered by the violent death of their father and husband, and who now live in a home of buried truths and disconcerting fantasies. With the arrival of the newest lodger, the sensitive literature enthusiast Nathan, his discoveries threaten to shatter the family's world forever.

Ryan McBryde has created a beautiful, engaging production; he directs his stellar cast with style.

It is clear with this show how much time, effort and love has been spent nurturing and developing it. It's years in development with Perfect Pitch, and Ryan McBride's sensitive direction have brought this angular, challenging piece to glittering life on the Arcola stage. It is a testament to the work of Perfect Pitch and producers like Katy Lipson (Aria Entertainment) in bringing contemporary new works to audiences. 

O'Dwyer and Gilbert's story is a riveting, dark psychological thriller which surprises at every turn. O'Dwyer's music is stunningly written; it is detailed, immaculate composition, at times dissonant and jagged, at others haunting and delicate. The small three-piece band plays Jo Chichonska's arrangements perfectly, filling the space under musical director David Randall's able hand. 

Gillian Kirkpatrick as Anna

The cast is sublime, led by the superb Gillian Kirkpatrick as Anna, the widowed mother. It is a vituosic performance, ranging from riotous vixen in her ode to alcohol 'Something for the Pain' to maternal tenderness in 'I Could Promise You'. Her voice has moments of haunting hollowness and fearsome passion. Kirkpatrick is astounding. 

She is joined by Molly McGuire and Grace Rowe as her daughters Lily and Laura, and a charming Jamie Muscato as Nathan. Muscato gives a charming, sensitive performance; not only does he have a tremendous voice, but he is a true actor. The attention to detail in his performance is a joy to watch in such an intimate setting. McGuire as Lily is similarly engaging, giving a painfully natural performance of great range. 

Director Ryan McBryde has created a beautiful, engaging production; he makes great use of the quirky main space at the Arcola and directs his stellar cast with style. 

The production is what we in the theatre industry seem to constantly be calling for: great new British writing with a fantastic team in a great space. We ought to be supporting this kind of new work. The night I was at the show it was a rather empty house. This is criminal. I urge you, I implore you, to please go and see this show, and support the work of producers who take risks on this kind of theatre. The House of Mirrors and Hearts is in its final week of performances at the Arcola. It deserves to be playing to a full house every night. So please, go buy your tickets now!

Runs until 1 August 2015 at the Arcola Theatre, London. Tickets available from £14. 

For more information and to buy tickets click here.