Scorched

Synopsis

When Nawal Marwan dies, she leaves letters for her twins, Janine and Simon; one to be delivered to their brother and one to their father... and the mystery begins. They both thought their father was dead and never knew of a brother. The letters plunge them into the maelstrom of their war ravaged family history.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 7 September 2010

Lebanese playwright Wajdi Mouawad tells a sad story of the civil war in his country that assumes the dimension of a Greek tragedy, atmospherically enhanced by the bricks and dampness of the Old Vic Tunnels, while the trains rumble persistently overhead.

Nawal Marwan has died and requested to be laid to rest naked with her back to the world. She leaves two letters: one for her twins’ father and one for their brother. The resolution of this riddle, and the events through which Narwal arrived at her tragic cynicism, unravel with bumpy, but never boring, inevitability.

The ghost of Nawal is beautifully played by Jennie Stoller, stamping a matriarchal, mellow-voiced authority on her younger, more impetuous other selves: Jennifer Kidd’s adventurous lover and Caroline Loncq’s vengeful activist.

Nawal was raped in prison, producing the twins who struggle confusedly in her wake, the boxer Simon (Richard Simons) and the mathematics teacher Janine (Sirine Saba).

The ...

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Latest User Review

Hazie - 10 September 2010:

Fantastic play. Gripping, emotional, well acted, amazing space (tho train noise a little distracting at first). A must see, tho may not be for you if you just like feel good musicals. ...

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