Shelly Blackmore as Julia, Stefan Austin as Nat
and Hannah Danby as Diane
The Birds
The Nonentities
The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster
***
First came the classic short story by
Daphne du Maurier, which then became the inspiration for Alfred
Hitchcock’s terrifying horror film. Then Conor McPherson got hold of it
and turned it into play.
McPherson’s version places three strangers in an
abandoned cottage as the world beyond is terrorised by increasingly
violent flocks. The narrative is more about the relationships formed by
the characters rather than dealing with the threat of the birds which
seems to take second place.
Stefan Austin’s Nat and Hannah Danby’s Diane, who
have sought refuge together, are joined by Shelly Blackmore’s Julia, a
Bible‑quoting arrival whose presence injects an unexpected and uneasy
sexual chemistry into the group.
Stefan Austin and Hannah Danby
Staged in the intimate studio at The Rose, the
talented cast delivers atmosphere and solid performances throughout.
Director (Jennifer Eglinton) and the set design (Keith Rowland) make the
most of the studio’s compact space. The set and sound design are the
production’s greatest strengths. The boarded up windows, the repeated
thump and flutter of wings, and the sense of enclosure create a
claustrophobic atmosphere that genuinely makes the audience feel part of
the action. You really feel like you are unequivocally trapped along
with the three protagonists.
Kudos should also go to Joe Priest for the
lighting design and Amy Baker for the sound.
The cast work hard—and succeed—in selling the
emotional truth of their characters. All three are dealing with intense
unpredictable moods and complexities that have darkness in their past.
Austin and Danby convincingly portray the strain and fragile alliances
formed under threat, while Blackmore’s Julia adds another dimension that
complicates the dynamic.
Although there are a few moments of humour along
the way, and some genuine tension provided by the sounds of the unseen
birds, the first half moves fairly slowly and is rather uneventful.
Hannah Danby David Wilkes
as the farmer
However, the second half picks up pace with the
sudden appearance of the neighbouring farmer played with appropriate
menace by David Wilkes, who lets himself in when Diane has been left on
her own. You genuinely fear for her safety as he tries to convince her
that she’d be better off with him.
Ultimately the evening is an accomplished piece
of theatre with solid portrayals from all four actors and a set that
showcases sound and lighting techniques, but it’s held back by an
average story.
Those hoping for a terrifying adaptation of a
classic will likely feel disappointed. For fans of taut atmosphere and
strong performances it’s worth seeing.
Alan Birch
03-11-25
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