Jack Studio Theatre – until 14 June 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Henri Merriam’s intelligent and moving play is an intense portrayal of a coercive relationship. Merriam’s writing and performance are passionate and compelling, creating an intriguingly realised character full of contradictions and insecurities.
Shahaf Beer’s clever design centres around a chest of drawers representing the narrator’s life: memories and emotions hidden and revealed as she opens each drawer, unable to stop herself returning to one that causes anguish.
Merriam’s character looks back on her life and her relationship: the heady early days of her relationship with Tom throw up a few red flags, but the joy of romance trumps everything – even a rather pointed Valentine’s present. Tom appears as a recorded voice, creating a more powerful hold over Merriam than another actor could, as her reactions tell us everything. Tom’s misogynistic views, excused at the beginning, become darker and more hurtful, and his armoury of every slight he’s ever felt, or compromise he’s had to make because of her is weaponised with ruthless efficiency. From the beginning of the play her obsessive tendencies are made clear and there is a growing feeling that some of her own behaviours may not be acceptable as comments from her friends and her own self-criticism reveal details. Tom’s coercive behaviour is obvious and unforgiveable, and questions about whether her behaviour is a survival response or part of her natural character begin to arise. This ambiguity adds further layers to the narrative, but Merriam’s charismatic and humorous performance ensures the audience ‘s sympathy remains with her, even in her darker moments. Merriam uses a microphone to voice her friends’ opinions and comments – both helpful and judgemental – to great effect.
Sophia Capasso’s assured direction creates a visual picture of the messy life to accompany the narrative, swiftly cleared away and rammed back into the drawers as Merriam ends the marriage – whether this is done in a healthy way or not isn’t explored but feels emotionally true. Classical references to women who defied men’s expectations and their punishments become fuel for Merriam’s rage and fear for life after Tom, again leaving her future unclear.
This powerful and emotional play is fantastic entertainment.