Review: CATHY, Soho Theatre

This play doesn't sugarcoat anything; instead it bluntly reveals the harsh realities of suffering when the odds are unfairly stacked against a person. It's a situation that isn't uncommon in today's society, but nowadays are we desensitised to other people's sufferings?

When Ken Loach's Cathy Comes Home came out over 50 years ago it sparked nationwide debate and concern around homelessness. Ali Taylor has taken influence from the film and created a script that takes a look at how a person would fare in today's current social and political climate.

Cathy Owen plays the title role unbelievably well. As her world crashes down before her eyes her main goal is to seek support for both herself and her 15-year old daughter. She tries hard to stay afloat, working several minimum wage jobs on zero hour contracts. She falls behind on rent and her landlord turfs her out.

The two of them are quickly thrown into a rabbit hole of disappointment and frustrating struggle. The system is meant to catch them when they're down, however it tosses them back up into the unfamiliar. They undergo a series of demeaning, abusive and judgemental instances that test their resilience.

Whilst it isn't necessarily a story of hope, it isn't melodramatic in the slightest. Adrian Jackson's production delicately puts across the bleak reality that many people now face, and the performances he draws out are precise, engaging and unrelentingly revealing.

During its run at the Soho Theatre the play will be performed as a standalone piece, however for the rest of the tour it'll take place in its original format of Forum Theatre; a method that puts the audience in control, giving them a chance to offer comments on what Cathy could have done to prevent her situation.

As well as this they will also be invited to come up on stage and try out their ideas, and following a chaired discussion, the consequences of each decision they make will be interrogated. This brings an exciting flavour to the event; the outcome will be different each night due to the spectator's life experiences being so diverse.

Cathy at the Soho Theatre until 14 April, before going on tour to Cornwall, Cardiff, Milford Gaven, Aberystwth and London's Albany Theatre

Photo credit: Pamela Raith

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