Review: People, Places & Things – Trafalgar Theatre – National Theatre

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When looking at the process certain actors go through in preparing for specifically challenging parts, we sometimes compare them to athletes and their work, to Olympian feats. Denise Gough is undoubtedly of this breed of performers in whom technical ability and emotional prowess meet an extraordinary physical commitment to sharing stories. People, Places & Things is a work of blood tears and sweat, a 2h30 assault on the senses supported by an incredibly effective set design and a strong cast led brilliantly by Gough, Malachi Kirby and Sinead Cusack.

The play is set in a rehabilitation facility for drug and substance addicts where exhausted actress Emma checks herself in after her addictions start to invade her work, causing her to drunkenly stumble on stage during a tense scene of Chekhov’s The Seagull. Emma begins as a recalcitrant participant in group therapy whose inner rage keeps her from committing to her treatment and jeopardizes that of others. She ends up as a humbled, strong and hopeful woman whose tentative attempts to make amends prompt a finale measuring the full extent of the web of lies addiction often weaves.

The monumental set design by Bunny Christie hooks the audience instantly. The stage is set in the traverse, offering a white cube from which people emerge to evolve around Emma and tell the story of her attempts at recovery. The powerful effect of being met not only by Gough’s eyes but also the gaze of opposing audience members is as striking as the physical evolution of the characters themselves. We see people seeing her, judging her, blaming or absolving her.

Duncan Macmillan’s story follows a solid, gripping plotline, Gough’s performance elevating the text of a beautiful play which sometimes risks an excess of intellectual self-indulgence. The plethora of cutting Thespian and post-modernist references zig-zags through the ordeal of addiction and the will to live and live better.

The back and forth between Gough and Kirby represents one of the play’s highlights, the audience immersed in the harsh truths of their exchanges. In the characters’ movements, masterfully directed by Polly Bennett, we get an insight as to the inner fight of detoxing, 5 Emma body doubles bleeding out from the walls, from under the bed and the furniture, creating a trance-like vision of her mental and physical battle.

However, the sheer sensory overload created by the loudness of the sound design and the traumatic nature of most scenes threatens to overwhelm the performance. It could be argued, however, that this reflects the immense, gut-wrenching reality faced by addicts daily and thus effectively portrays what the journey of Emma would look like. There is however a need for measure when dealing with tragedy, and seeing people tear each other apart throughout such a lengthy play wears upon the audience’s capacity for connection.

People, Places & Things remains a masterful play and the themes explored are shared with great passion, commitment and truth which will most likely change the way in which at least a portion of its audience thinks about addiction.

People, Places & Things is a National Theatre production co-produced with Gavin Kalin Productions, Mark Gordon Pictures/Eilene Davidson Productions, Seaview and Second Half Productions

Featured Image: Marc Brenner

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For tickets, and more information on People, Places, Things, click here.

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