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The Human Ear

The Human Ear is a production that is crafted with all the beautiful complexity of the appendage to which its title refers. A series of disciplines - performance and direction, lighting and sound, scripting and organisation - all interlock precisely to create the narrative. The show looks closely at the sibling relationship between Lucy and her estranged brother Jason, and what love, loss and loneliness can mean for our relationships with others.

The Human Ear is a show that is fragmented so that it can show us what is really important when memory and grief are put to one side.

This Paines Plough production makes use of Alexandra Wood's fractured, splintered script, that jumps from present into past, from character to character, from tone to tone and back again in an instant. Each leap is accompanied by a soft change in lighting and a faint noise that disrupts the background music, as if we've changed the channel and are watching something slightly different but almost the same. The effect is profound - it's difficult not to watch the stage obsessively.

Nuggets of information about Lucy and Jason's relationship, both in the present day (when they meet again after 10 years) and in their tumultuous past, are given to us piecemeal. By doing so, we hunger for the next one that will allow us to piece together a more complete story.

This structure allows the script to look at the many sides of sibling relationships over the course of 70 minutes. In the same scene, moment by moment, either sibling can be on the defensive or on the attack, apologetic or apoplectic. They plead with each other for reassurance and unconditional love while also pushing each other away and blaming each other for things they can't possibly be responsible for. Through other character's interactions with Lucy, the show examines the fact that we can insult our siblings all we like, but we will not stand someone else doing so. It's all very accurate.

The two performers, Sian Reese-Williams and Abdul Salis, with direction from George Perrin, produce something very special here. This team has managed to keep the deliberately fractured narrative ultimately clear as well as create something you can't tear your eyes from. Salis has to switch from Jason to Ed (Lucy's boyfriend and family liaison officer) frequently, often midline, and both he and Reese-Williams have to flashback in the middle of sentences, often into words or phrases that are of a completely different mood. It's stunning to watch and the sincerity and truthfulness with which they play every single moment is what makes their performance so watchable. They build steadily and naturally to fantastic dramatic heights and lows, and give us genuine insight into a relationship that is so hard to understand.

Ultimately, the production asks us questions about what the mind will do when confronted with grief. How much can we remember, and how accurately? Why do some things stay with us while others are forgotten? The Human Ear is a show that is fragmented so that it can show us what is really important when memory and grief are put to one side. 

Reviews by Andrew Forbes

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Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
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Performances

Location

The Blurb

A man turns up at Lucy’s door claiming to be the brother she hasn’t seen in 10 years. But why has he come? Is it really him? And what happens when there’s another knock at the door? Forced to confront the messy inner workings of sibling love with its petty resentments, casual cruelty, profound betrayals and implicit understanding, can the bond between brother and sister be rebuilt? An intriguing tale of loss, renewal and knowing who to trust from Fringe First Award winner Alexandra Wood.
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