The Small Hand at the Theatre Royal, Brighton Review
The Small Hand
Theatre Royal, Brighton
3-8 November 2014
Reviewed by Meresa Bergin
I was eager, if somewhat fearful, to see The Small Hand as I had already seen The Woman In Black which is a beautiful play but scared the hell out of me (both by Susan Hill).
The play starts calmly as Adam Snow makes his way to a business meeting when suddenly everything becomes cold and Snow feels an odd unease, as he drives along country lanes getting more and more lost but feeling pulled, he then sees a young boy briefly before feeling the thud of hitting him. Yet when he gets out of stock car, there is no one there.
Feeling somewhat bemused he looks around before finding a sign for “The White House” moving through the bushes and trees he stumbles across a beautiful yet haunting house, it feels somewhat familiar yet he cannot shake his unease as he feels a small hand take his.
What is to follow is a haunting and heart-breaking tale of discovery, of what is happening around him but more importantly to him as he meets people who are tangled in this story, were nothing is what it seems and you will be left gasping for and from the truth.
I do not want to say anything else but this play will both chill you to the bones and break your heart.
Andrew Lancel as Adam Snow is outstanding and you can feel his panic, fear and heartbreak as if it were happening to you, he pulls you in until you are unsure what he is feeling and what is your own fear.
Diane Keen and Robert Duncan however were standouts for me, the way they could change roles with such ease and you were able to believe each character without thought and be drawn into their problems and lives.
My only disappointment was the sound effects at times were too loud for me and I struggle to hear what was being said, it felt a little unnecessary and sometimes silence is more terrifying, not knowing something is coming till it arrives.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £19.90 to £35.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
The Small Hand is at the Theatre Royal Brighton until 8 November 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7650.
Theatre Royal. New Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1SD | 0844 871 7650
