‘What would you do if someone you loved committed a violent crime’? That’s a question I kept asking myself watching Orphans at the Stockport Garrick.
Set in working class 21st century Britain; Orphans tells the story of a pair of orphaned siblings and lengths they’ll go to protect their relationship.
The play starts off a bit awkwardly and cringey as Helen (Hannah Blakeley) and Danny (Jonathan Higgs) are planning a romantic night in. Their night is cut short as Helen’s brother; Liam (Jake Johnson) bursts in covered in blood.
Set in the Garrick’s foyer, the play is staged in the round. It’s a great use of the space as it’s such an intimate performance, with a cast of 3. However, at times I did struggle to see, as the actors were blocking each other off at certain times in the performance. For example, at one point Johnson had his back to me and was blocking my view of Blakeley, so completely missed that piece. Therefore, I think the actors could be have been better placed when it came to stage placings. 
There are very few sound effects or lighting changes in the play. I did feel the music at the beginning of the show was stopped rather abruptly, when there was no need for it - a gentle fade out would have worked better. Also, the lighting flickered out to signify the end of a scene. Flickering light bulbs is something old fashioned. As this play is clearly set in the 21st century, I would have preferred a more modern way to signify the end of a scene.
Blakeley puts in a good performance as Helen, and comes across as genuinely concerned for her brother’s well-being. It is clear that she is torn between her brother and her lover. However, I did feel she was a bit late to comfort her brother at the beginning of the play.
Throughout the play I felt really unsure of the character of Danny. I didn’t know whether I was supposed to like him or not. Higgs seemed a bit over rehearsed. For example, when Helen informs Danny that she is thinking about having an abortion, he is a bit too quick with his reaction. You would have thought someone in that situation would need some time to get their head around it.
Johnson had a tendency to be a bit monotone in Act 1. His performance could have benefited from a bit more variety in tone, pitch, and speed. Having said that, he really came into this own in Act 2, and did everything I wanted him to do.
Overall, Act 1 was lacking in energy. The stakes need to be raised by all actors. They all seemed remarkably calm after hearing that a violent and racially motivated crime had been committed. Act 2 was much better. There were some lovely monologues, which were excellently delivered. The energy was raised, leading to an exciting climax where Helen is forced to make a heart breaking decision.
Orphans runs at the Stockport Garrick from 13th - 16th January 2016.
Reviewed: 12th January 2016 (Dress Rehearsal)
Reviewer: Brian Madden
