Wastwater

Synopsis

"You make one decision. It stays with you. It’s like the consequences of it get into your bones.". Set on the edges of Heathrow Airport, Wastwater is an elliptical triptych - a snapshot of three different couples who make a choice that will define the fallout of their future. Harry is on the point of leaving England. Frieda knows she will never see him again. Lisa and Mark are on the point of a sexual betrayal that takes them into a place darker than they ever thought possible. Sian has a terrifying deal for Jonathan. She isn't going to take no for an answer.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 6 April 2011

The depths of Wastwater in the Lake District are a metaphor of hidden secrets and emotional undercurrents in Simon Stephens’ enthralling new triptych of inter-linked plays, directed with calm, unshowy assurance by Katie Mitchell, and beautifully acted.

The common theme is that of child care in the community: a foster mother (Linda Bassett) says goodbye to her troubled charge, Harry (Tom Sturridge), who is catching a bus to take a flight to Vancouver.

Then an art teacher, Mark (Paul Ready) and a married off-duty policewoman in child protection (Jo McInnes), with a steamy past in pornography, prepare to have sex in a hotel bedroom; another teacher, Jonathan (Angus Wright), is quizzed by a vile child trafficking agent, Sian (Amanda Hale), before meeting his little Filipino purchase.

The latter case is only one of adoption, not sexual kidnap, or at least we hope it is. Nothing is quite right between any of these characters, but this uncertainty is ...

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Latest User Review

rds - 19 April 2011:

Five stars + for the amazing sets designed by Lizzie Clachan (the builders should get prominent billing too!) change, in an instant, from dilapidated house to swish hotel bedroom to, even more remarkably, a derelict warehouse. It was a huge relief to have something other than this disjointed, depressing piece of writing to think about. Why, when there are so many good writers out there, does the Royal Court waste its resources on this claptrap? How WOS gave it four stars is, fortunately, beyond my comprehension. Katie Mitchell, whose work I have usually hated, has certainly had her work cut out here! 2/10 see me! There were quite a number of young Americans in the audience tonight, I hope this hasn't put them off theatre....

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