As the beloved Royal Court celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, what better way to kick-start the season than with an intriguing and sinister new work by Sloane Square veteran, Caryl Churchill? Aged 77, Churchill is still without doubt one of the most innovative and forward thinking playwrights of our time. This impressive 55 minute piece, directed by James Macdonald certainly packs a punch but will indubitably divide audiences in terms of its journey and conclusion or lack thereof.
Linda Bassett (Mrs Jarrett). Photograph: Johan Persson
Without a doubt, the most striking feature of Escaped Alone is the fact that it stars four mature actresses, something which is a relatively rare sight on stage. Churchill explicitly states in the text that the women are “all at least seventy,” but nevertheless these formidable actresses perform with an energetic gusto and delightful charm. However the seemingly jolly idle gossip of these characters has an underlying chaotic cynicism and soon the overhanging apocalyptic nature of the piece becomes apparent.
The play opens to reveal Miriam Buether’s beautifully thought out and detailed set, consisting of a brightly lit back garden where three women are sitting drinking tea and catching up. They are joined by a neighbour, Mrs Jarrett (Linda Bassett) who happens to be walking by and eavesdropping on their chit chat.
Deborah Findlay (Sally) and Kika Markham (Lena). Photograph: Johan Persson
We quickly learn a little more about each of these women. Sally (Deborah Findlay) has a debilitating fear of cats but masks this with smug assuredness. Lena (Kika Markham) is paralysed with depression and barely makes it to the shops. Vi (June Watson) is a pure powerhouse with a cutting tongue and a chequered past. Once joined by Mrs Jarrett, the women share memories and old stories and in Churchill’s signature style constantly talk over each other, conversations merging into each other; all serving to underpin the illusory nature of memory.
Escaped Alone has a sturdy rhythm and despite its short length, feels immensely full and wordy. Throughout the women’s chatter, the action freezes five or six times and Mrs Jarrett steps out of the airy garden and into the pitch black and an ominous frame of pulsing red lights. Churchill is a fan of merging the mundane with the malevolent, and Mrs Jarrett’s monologues do just that. Serving as a brutal juxtaposition to stories of Victoria sponge baking, darling grandchildren and favourite animals, Mrs Jarrett shrewdly predicts a cataclysmic future where “birth deformities outpaced the immigration of plastic surgeons” and “commuters watched breakfast on iPlayer.”
Linda Bassett (Mrs Jarrett), Deborah Findlay (Sally), Kika Markham (Lena)
and June Watson (Vi). Photograph: Johan Persson
Despite Mrs Jarrett’s foreboding prophecies, these seem to pale in comparison to the real tragedies, happening right before our eyes in the sunny garden. A charming harmonised rendition of Da Doo Ron Ron by our tea-drinkers is full of warmth and humour, despite the underlying catastrophe of each of these very palpable women’s lives.
Churchill’s latest work is well worth a watch. It is a postmodern and perceptive fantasy deeply wired in current political anxieties and is both comfortable and unsettling. It is a stellar ensemble performance starring four glorious actresses simply living and breathing a character, with nothing fancy to hide behind. Bizarre, confusing but undeniably relatable, Churchill has struck gold once again.
by Heather Doughty
Escaped Alone runs at the Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Theatre Downstairs until March 12, 2016
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS
Box office tel: 020 7565 5000