Review: PITY, Royal Court Theatre

Playwright Rory Mullarkey is back with another show at the Royal Court, following on from his 2014 production, The Wolf From the Door. At the start of Pity, it seems like an ordinary day in a quiet town somewhere in England but, as the synopsis on the back of the playtext quite literally warns, "what happens next verges on the ridiculous".

Person (Abraham Popoola)and Daughter (Sophia Di Martino) meet in the town square one sunny afternoon - people are buying ice cream and there's a real sense of community among the residents. That is before things quickly start to fall apart. People are struck by lightning, blown up, buried in debris and shot to death, buildings are blown apart, the Prime Minister sings a song about sandwiches, and warlords appear in tanks.

All members of the cast show extreme stamina as they are each given their chance to shine - whether as PM, an angel, a warlord, famous actor, sniper or refugee. They all excel as they rotate through a vast number of characters quickly and efficiently.

There's a particularly poignant moment when Sal the Postwoman (Siobhan McSweeney) tells the story of how she continued to deliver letters to those who lived in the town, even as their houses were being blown apart, perfectly embodying the resilience and strength that British people are renowned for.

Mullarkey is a talented writer, and he manages to pack a lot into 100 minutes, but Sam Pritchard's fast-paced directing makes it difficult to follow any kind of plot, the audience are constantly being bombarded with new visual aspects. The lighting and sound design all add to the chaos of the production, with the sound of blasts in the distance, helicopters whirring overhead, shouting and intermittent gunfire consistently breaking through the action taking place on stage.

The technical aspects of this production are astounding, and with so much going on the team certainly have their work cut out for them. Confetti explodes across the stage, pillows and flowers fall from the sky, lightning strikes and rain pours.

However, this is a play that will undoubtedly split the audience. Some will be thrilled by its absurdity, while others will probably find it a bit overbearing. It is interesting to see a production where you have no idea what will turn up next, but it doesn't seem to quite hit the mark.

It's probably one of the most surreal productions I've ever seen on stage. It's angry and highly emotive, but the chaotic aspect of the play often makes it difficult for the audience to maintain concentration - if you blink, there's a good chance you'll miss something.

This is a roller coaster ride, pushing the boundaries of theatre. It's a bit like marmite - some will love it, while others will hate it.

Pity at the Royal Court Theatre until 11 August

Photo Credit: Helen Murray