Lucia’s Chapters of Coming Forth by Day at the Theatre Royal Brighton Review
Lucia’s Chapters of Coming Forth by Day
Theatre Royal, Brighton
7-9 May 2015
Reviewed by Meresa Bergin
Fringe takes place in Brighton every year and is a mix of unique events ranging from plays and music and I was lucky enough to be asked to review Mabou Mines Lucia’s Chapters of Coming Forth by Day which tells the tale of Lucia Joyce, the beautiful and tormented daughter of James Joyce (for those that don’t know James Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet).
I have been to the Theatre Royal Brighton many times and the staff were as outstanding as always. Just outside the venue is the box office to book tickets for the Fringe which was helpful. We had great seats, a few rows from the front. The stage looked very simple and bare so I was looking forward to seeing how it would be used. I had seen from the programme that the play only had two actors so I was also excited to see how that would work.
This play was beautiful and so heart-breaking as we explored Lucia’s broken and haunting mind, so tormented by her woes and past she believes she is being hounded by someone or something as she aches to die, no one will listen and no one cares.
I loved the stills that were played over the act, views from her childhood in Ireland and places she had lived, as well as, heartbreakingly, St Andrew’s mental hospital which is where she spent most of her life. The music worked so well and really draws you in, playing into her aching mind so young and open and yet so still with nowhere to flow.
Maria Tucci is outstanding and brought Lucia to life in ways that are unimaginable, she gives such life to the part and you can see into the heart of Lucia, the pain and confusion she must have lived with such a brilliant and vast mind which could not cope with her madness. She showed Joyce to be funny and engaging, giving such wonderful quotes. Lucia’s story is unbearably sad, there are no other words for it but sad, a beautiful young women so tormented by mental illness she had to spend her whole life in hospitals and Maria was able to show us her soul just simply with words and expression, no needing for props or drama.
Paul Kandel plays Lucia’s father James Joyce and he gave a wonderful performance and mixed so well with Maria’s portrayal.
After the play the cast and crew held open questions which give us a chance to ask and listen to questions about the play and Lucia’s story which really helped me to understand and get a more in-depth insight her life. We learnt that Lucia spent most of her time in hospital alone as her beloved father died not long after she was placed there and her brother only visited a few times, her mother never did.
I also enjoyed the programme which tells you more about Lucia’s life which I found very informative and helpful.
I was not sure if I would like this play but I am so pleased to have seen it and it has placed inside tightly in my heart and mind. I felt it was be simply heart-breaking and painful but it was also funny and warmed my soul.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £18.90 to £26.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Lucia’s Chapters of Coming Forth by Day is at the Theatre Royal in Brighton until 9 May 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7650.
Brighton Festival runs from 2-24 May 2015. For more information visit www.brightonfestival.org.
Theatre Royal. New Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1SD | 0844 871 7650
