Let’s cut to the chase, this is some of the best acting I’ve seen on stage in a very long time. The cast are phenomenal and led by Alison Oliver (Women, Beware the Devil) as Portia Coughlan you can’t go wrong. Her sensitivity, physicality, connection and heart grip you like nothing else. She demonstrates a sense of heartbreaking play that instantly evokes empathy from everyone in the room. She portrays an amiable Portia despite the events of the play, with the audience constantly trying to understand her and her actions and constantly being one step behind. Her work on voice and physicality shines through immensely to create a touching, completely accurate example of an Irish female experience through a masterclass of acting.

Marina Carr’s 1996 play explores the strength of the bond between twins, even through the grave. Portia’s dead twin Gabriel torments her on her 30th birthday as she revisits the river he disappeared into 15 years prior, and the subsequent trials she faces with those that surround her. As her relationships with those closest to her break down, she continues to not help herself, the audience are left wanting to scream at her but are transfixed on every move she makes.

One thing left with Portia is the sound of her twin’s voice, excellently presented by Archee Aitch Wylie. Maimuna Memon’s songs haunt Portia’s head elegantly and eerily. Each presents a new struggle for her to face, and is the perfect beautiful antithesis for the darkness unfolding both in Portia’s head and on stage.

The rest of the cast are sublime thanks to the work of Amy Ball. Each hold a strong identity and when put together create fireworks on stage. The electricity between Marianne Scully (Mairead McKinley) and Blaize Scully (Sorcha Cusak) is completely blinding and entirely gripping to watch. Feral McElherron as Senchil Doorley and Kathy Kiera Clarke as Maggie May Doorley provide the comic relief needed amongst the drama perfectly.

The set, lighting and sound courtesy of Alex Eales, Guy Hoare and Giles Thomas merge seamlessly to create an epic crossover between the raw, unforgiving rocks of the Belmont River and the depressing interior of a lifeless home. The persistence of the river landscape overlooking each and every seen cleverly foreshadows its significance in Portia’s head as it never leaves.

Carrie Cracknell has created a shockingly intense piece of theatre that could be used for research into real human emotion. The fierce power created combining the eery yet beautifully delivered songs, the raw acting and ingenious directing is something one can only experience as a feeling and not simply observe. To say this piece is touching is a grave understatement as controls not only your attention but your breath, pulse and soul.

⭐️⭐️⭐️