Live Explosives

It is rare that I go to the theatre these days. To be honest I love it, but I get bored easily and I almost always leave disappointed. Last weekend, I was lucky enough to catch two performances of ‘Grenades’ by the extremely gifted Mephisto Theatre Company. I was expecting it to be good and I wasn’t for a second let down. In fact, the second time that I watched the play, I actually enjoyed more of it, saw more detail, enjoyed more nuance in the performance.

Now why was this so good and what did I see in this that I couldn’t see every week at the other theatre’s in town?

It was simple. The story telling was placed ahead of the performer’s virtuosity. The direction was precise, intelligent and let the actor just get on with it. The performance from Emma O’Grady in the lead role of Nuala was beautifully authentic, never more than a touch of performing, always suiting the action to the word, the word to the action, never boring, always different, fluid and yet measured. I enjoyed every moment of what Emma did on stage. I was blown away the second night even when I knew what was coming, I was really emotionally gutted by the major turning point in the play.

Congratulations to all concerned and to the Tron Theatre, Glasgow for including Grenades in their Mayfesto season.