Behind Closed Doors at The Customs House was ‘theatrical drama at its best’
‘Theatrical drama at its best’ - our review of Behind Closed Doors at The Customs House
An open stage with double bed centre stage, clothes rail, laundry basket and other items suggesting bedroom.
This remains with lighting effectively reflecting changes of tone and location, like a night club. A short monologue begins and ends the play direct to the audience and whilst poetical, is very natural.
Music also plays a big part in the mood, with lyrics sometimes providing a commentary on the scene, with 16 varied pieces in the show.
Some scenes are staged entirely to music.
While the play covers many subjects it is more than just a love story of a couple, who despite their love, unwittingly tear each other apart.
Ben Robert Cunningham, takes on the role of Charlie, while Corey Muizelaar, who also wrote the play, played Jude.
Charlie discovers Jude’s secret and trust begins to crumble.
It shows the devastating impact of betrayal. Real, raw, riveting, unflinching and uncompromising. It is said, nothing beats fact and there is nothing stronger than the truth – well this play has both.
Many events are written from personal experience, fact and truth! While it is called Behind Closed Doors, it opens the door on many ‘subjects that are so often hidden away’.
Both actors deliver exceptionally strong believable performances. They play a complex range of ever-changing emotions beautifully.
While powerful and visceral, some extreme moments are implied without being explicit and the occasional violence and sexual interactions are choreographed with great care.
Jason Marc-Williams, the Director, says very truly: “It just tells the truth as it is”, adding: “the space is stripped back, nowhere to run, its just them – the relationship.”
Sadly, the play only had one night at The Customs House, but is going on to festivals at Guilford, Camden and Edinburgh before heading off to Australia in 2027.
Call me old fashioned but what a delight to get an actual paper programme to handle and read, not everyone can scan for one.
This is a thoroughly thought provoking powerful production – theatrical drama at its best.
The writer hopes it makes you laugh, shocks you, and makes you cry – all of which could be seen in the audience.