The Brightening Air
There’s a lot going on in this new play at the Old Vic set in 1980s rural Ireland, but at its heart it’s a family drama, with pretty strong Uncle Vanya vibes. We had side seats up in the balcony which meant we lost a bit of the stage but overall I don’t think we missed that much. Focused on three siblings, Dermot (Chris O'Dowd) Stephen (Brian Gleeson) and Billie (Rosie Sheehy). Stephen and Billie are still living in the run down family farm after their father's death. Billie loves trains and is an expert on train lines, stations and routes and it becomes clear she can’t manage on her own and Stephen is responsible for looking after her. Older brother Dermot is a bit sleazy and flashy but he is the one that got out of town. His wife still loves him but he brings his young girlfriend, Freya ‘she’s 20 or will be at her next birthday’. We meet the final members of the family as they gather in the house for a family meeting. They in...