Bridge Theatre production photos by Manuel Harlan
Allelujah! -Alan Bennett
RATING ★ ★ ★
Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Bridge Theatre
August 2018
Bennett and Hytner embark on their 10th collaboration with a pro-NHS, anti-Brexit play, Allelujah! Set in a run-down hospital in Yorkshire, The Bethlehem or "The Beth" risks being shutdown. The narrative takes the audience through the pros and cons of saving the hospital from closure, by using stereotypical characters and stories to present the reasons. A geriatric ward is brought to life with twelve patients who are being interviewed and filmed by a crew for a documentary on the threat of NHS hospital closures. The lives of the patients are examined, why they are there and when they might be leaving...in both senses of the word.
Deborah Findlay impresses as she takes on the villainous role of Sister Gilchrist, a seemingly revered and respected nurse who runs the ward as if her own. As the plot unfolds we learn that all is not what it seems and suddenly, the play becomes particularly topical instead of the meandering plot it has been up until this point. The well-liked and gentle Doctor Valentine is played sensitively by Sacha Dhawan. He provides his patients with true support and kindness, whilst also offering the audience a heart-felt speech about why our country's narrowing acceptance is going to be our eventual downfall.
Hytner's direction lacks new perspective, with the same pieces of set flying in and out at every scene change. This becomes a somewhat repetitive format and the song breaks are welcomed as they help vary the rhythm of the play. The principle criticism of Allelujah! is that the play tries to say everything but ends up saying nothing in particular. It introduces important subjects like immigration, privatisation of the NHS, euthanasia and the #MeToo campaign, yet it feels like boxes are trying to be ticked and satisfied by the introduction of so many topical issues.
This play is enjoyable yet unambitious, gentle but generic. The chorus numbers warm the heart and the narrative leaves some light food-for-thought.
RATING ★ ★ ★
Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Bridge Theatre
August 2018
Bennett and Hytner embark on their 10th collaboration with a pro-NHS, anti-Brexit play, Allelujah! Set in a run-down hospital in Yorkshire, The Bethlehem or "The Beth" risks being shutdown. The narrative takes the audience through the pros and cons of saving the hospital from closure, by using stereotypical characters and stories to present the reasons. A geriatric ward is brought to life with twelve patients who are being interviewed and filmed by a crew for a documentary on the threat of NHS hospital closures. The lives of the patients are examined, why they are there and when they might be leaving...in both senses of the word.
Deborah Findlay impresses as she takes on the villainous role of Sister Gilchrist, a seemingly revered and respected nurse who runs the ward as if her own. As the plot unfolds we learn that all is not what it seems and suddenly, the play becomes particularly topical instead of the meandering plot it has been up until this point. The well-liked and gentle Doctor Valentine is played sensitively by Sacha Dhawan. He provides his patients with true support and kindness, whilst also offering the audience a heart-felt speech about why our country's narrowing acceptance is going to be our eventual downfall.
Hytner's direction lacks new perspective, with the same pieces of set flying in and out at every scene change. This becomes a somewhat repetitive format and the song breaks are welcomed as they help vary the rhythm of the play. The principle criticism of Allelujah! is that the play tries to say everything but ends up saying nothing in particular. It introduces important subjects like immigration, privatisation of the NHS, euthanasia and the #MeToo campaign, yet it feels like boxes are trying to be ticked and satisfied by the introduction of so many topical issues.
This play is enjoyable yet unambitious, gentle but generic. The chorus numbers warm the heart and the narrative leaves some light food-for-thought.