The Events (Plymouth – tour)

Interesting.

David Grieg turns his pen from the comedic musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the challenging The Events.

Triggered by inexplicable racist killings, a rather wordy, profound and clever piece tracks the psyche of happy-clappy gay vicar Claire (Neve McIntosh), survivor of the brutal massacre of many of her choir.

McIntosh (Dr Who, Be All and End All) is compelling as the traumatised, obsessive cleric whose soul is numbed by the unfathomable act. Her journey is punctuated by flashbacks to immediately prior to the event and a different local community choir sings and takes cameo parts each night – a poignant touch, along with Claire’s final words inviting the audience to join in, reminding us that these acts are random and inflicted on people like us.

Flexible-faced Rudi Dharmalingam (Cutting It, History Boys (Broadway and international tour), Tom’s Midnight Garden) is an inspired casting as The Boy and myriad others – journalist, politician, therapist, partner, father and more – to whom Claire turns in her search for understanding.

Royal Opera House repetiteur Emily Leather provides the live music and Chloe Lamford the sparse set propped only with much-needed mop, tea urn and stacking chairs.

Ramin Gray (Golden Dragon, Crave) directs the Actors Touring Company, Brageteatret, Schauspielhaus Wien and Young Vic award-winning co-production but something just misses the mark.

The intense 80 minutes is undoubtedly superbly acted, and there are many memorable moments – loved the conflicting possible thoughts of the Aboriginal boy watching the British ships arrive – and fascinating insights but perhaps it tries too hard. And, for me, there are too many strands I just cannot tie up such as if he is Boy, then how can he be older than Geldof in 1986? Is there any motif in the vicar being gay? If Mrs Singh was not nominated and she does not stress over having run away, why does Claire feel so very guilty? And that leaves an unsatisfactory feel.

– Karen Bussell