Review: THE QUIET HOUSE, Birmingham Rep Theatre, June 1 2016

As part of Fertility Fest, Gareth Farr's new play The Quiet House has its world premiere at Birmingham Rep this week. This co-production - also between Echo Presents and Park Theatre - is the exploration of a happily married couple in their mid-thirties who are desperate to have a child. After years of trying to conceive, they turn to fertility treatment. The play follows their painful struggle (often literally) towards their ultimate desire and the impact this has on their relationship.

Gareth Farr has written the play, wholly based on personal experience. Drawing from this to create The Quiet House is incredibly brave and the intimacy within the text feels like his soul has been laid bare. The dialogue between the two lead characters, Jess and Dylan, is natural, real and totally believable. The show peaks emotionally on several occasions where, as an audience member, you almost feel like you shouldn't be watching what should be a private moment. However, because the subject matter is not one that is openly and widely spoken about, this makes it all the more engaging and compelling to watch - especially to those going through a similar ordeal or knowing someone who is.

In the Rep's flexible studio space, The Door, Ana Ines Jabares-Pita has designed a set to replicate the flat where the Baxter couple live. There is a walkway around it and stairs leading to the flat above; whereby neighbour Kim has recently had a baby herself. Her pram is almost constantly left 'in the hall' in plain sight of the audience as a constant reminder of the pairs' longing - so close yet so far. The flat doubles as Dylan's office in certain scenes which is assisted well by the use of fluorescent strip lighting, highlighting the different entrances and exits. Simon Bond's lighting design is naturalistic yet slightly clinical at times - perfectly in tune with the undertone of the piece. Clive Meldrum's sound design is superb and the musical choices at poignant moments is hugely affecting.

Director Tessa Walker has done a magnificent job in making the characters likeable and easy to relate to. There is a natural incline of emotion and intensity as the show progresses and she has worked on the relationship between Jess and Dylan brilliantly. The immense heartbreak you feel for the couple when after months of treatment, the pregnancy test reveals a negative result again, can only be felt if you truly believe in the unfolding situation - something which Walker, along with Farr's text, has ensured.

It is quite apparent at times that The Quiet House is written from a male perspective, especially when focusing on Dylan - almost as an autobiographical character. However, what is exceptional is the ensured equal care for both characters. Jess from a longing mother's perspective and having to be injected several times a day, to Dylan who is supremely supportive yet his inability to do something more than just providing a sperm sample frustrates and upsets him greatly. Michelle Bonnard and Oliver Lansley climb a mountain over the 90-minute production and I can't applaud them enough for their delivery of such a sensitive situation. Lansley begins the show with stakes pitched slightly too high but this levels out as the play progresses.

Good support comes from Alysson Ava Brown and Tom Walker, as neighbour Kim and Dylan's boss Tony respectively. Ultimately, it could have been done as a two-hander but their presence highlights how the couple communicate to others about what they are going through (or not in Dylan's case).

A courageous, emotive and honest piece of writing.

The Quiet House plays at Birmingham Rep until Saturday 4 June before moving to the Park Theatre in London where it plays until Saturday 9 July 2016.

Photo credit: Graeme Braidwood