Nourish pierces the heart, mind and emotion with an insight and narrative that is well thought out, thoughtful and creatively crafted.

The play follows Sylvia Pankhurst (1882-1960) through one of her longer stays in prison due to a mild flirtation with criminal activity. She was an activist, not a criminal, who was earnestly fighting for the equality of humanity. But it seems the long arm of the law was not opposed to stretching its heavy hand to silence rather than protect - even in those days. Because of the injustice of this imprisonment, Pankhurst - and many others in the movement - chose to go on hunger-strike to establish control in a situation where they obviously had none. In response, one of the truly ignorantly-inspired proposals put forth by the-powers-that-be was to force-feed the little ladies. 'Cause of course, the man knows best.

The abuse in the administration of these 'nourishing' acts is the main focus of the play. It is a two-hander - the administrator of Pankhurst's feeds is a female prison warden. It shows Pankhurst suffering physically, mentally and spiritually from these abusive procedures - caused really by the establishment's need to cordon the freedom of her voice, choice and outrage. Thankfully she was not a lady who wanted to lunch, so they did not break her - as they did many others.

The venue is the Old Police Cells, under Brighton Town Hall, and could not be more apt. All are crammed into close-quarters, with no way to escape - much like Pankhurst.

Claire Burlington's script is brilliantly written. It moves between hearty naturalism, Pankhurst political, and the poetical - with an ease made even smoother by the intertwining of dialogue between the two women. It is an inspired choice to have a female warden, merely undertaking orders, because she cannot ignore the bond they share. Both walk away burnt by the bastards.

Ed Harris's direction is wonderfully apposite. He exhibits stylistic integrity and creativity, never digresses from what the script desires. He feeds it like a hunger - which in a play based around 'to eat or not to eat?', perfectly answers its needs.

Performances are delicious. Pankhurst is played by Davies Grey (above). She has an elegant grace and physicality on stage, infused with an emotional intensity which one can imagine Pankhurst brimming with. The Wardress is played by Claire Burlington. She gives a heart-warming humbleness to the role which is so believable that there's a wish to stand up and shake her whilst shouting 'How could you?!', then hug her immediately after.

Overall, Nourish is a stunning piece of work which incites understanding of the true cost of revolution. It is entertaining - there are funny moments as well as outrage - informative, and provokes a whole lot of thought. It may evoke the desire to shove a tube down a politician's throat to see how he likes it.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Claire Burlington - Wardress. Davies Grey - Sylvia Pankhurst.

Company Credits: Writer - Claire Burlington. Director - Ed Harris. Lighting Designer - uncredited. Sound Designer - uncredited. Technical Operator - uncredited. Press - Lora Davies. Producer - Lora Davies. Company - Squaremoon Ltd. Squaremoon credits (alpha order): Producer / Director - Lora Davies. Writer - Ed Harris. Producer - Kat Marchant. Producer - Mark Thomas. Website - www.squaremoon.info

END

(c) Tracy Keeling 2009

reviewed Friday 15 May 09 / The Old Police Cells Museum, Brighton Town Hall, Brighton UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com