Review: THE DISTANCE, Crucible Studio, Sheffield, Nov 3 2015

There isn't a bad performance in the Orange Tree Theatre/Sheffield Theatres production of Deborah Bruce's The Distance, currently playing at the Crucible Studio.

The seven cast members clearly bring to life the very different characters of the play and grapple at times with some incredibly fast-moving dialogue. For each of them, the production requires them to display a whole range of emotion, and none of these shifts in tone felt forced or unsympathetic. Director Charlotte Gwinner has really brought out the dynamics of the different relationships featured in the play and we can recognise in the characters the same kinds of thoughts, feelings and fears we have ourselves.

The play, which debuted in London last year, focuses on the friendship of three early 40s women: Bea (Michelle Duncan), Kate (Charlotte Lucas) and Alex (Charlotte Emerson) as Bea's life hits a crisis point and she decides to leave her two young sons and husband in Australia and return to Britain. It explores not only the consequences of this action for Bea herself, but the ramifications that decision has on those around her, as her friends struggle to support her, and each has a strong opinion on what she should do. The piece poses a whole number of interesting questions about parenting, gender, friendships, and whether or not one can ever find one's place in the world - although it should be noted that it doesn't offer any answers to those questions-those looking for everything to be neatly resolved may come away frustrated.

This is a thought-provoking production that is likely to touch a nerve in most audience members at at least one point, encompassing, as it does, many different takes on the nature of family, relationships and life choices. At times, some of messages of the play, particularly those pertaining to the nature of fatherhood versus motherhood, feel a little bit heavy-handed, but generally this is overcome by believable performances and cutting dialogue.

The intimacy of the Studio Theatre enables the audience to see even the smallest flicker on the faces of the actors, and the minimal domestic set enhances the naturalistic feel of the piece. At times, the closeness of the audience to the performers and one another also meant that some lines were lost amidst roars of laughter. However, that is a fairly small quibble in what is an entertaining, engaging and emotive piece of theatre that leaves you pondering its themes for some time afterwards.

The Distance is at the Crucible Studio, Sheffield, until 17 November.