My overall impression
Lockout is a thought provoking, powerful and poignant play told through the eyes of one woman, superbly acted by Bridgette Campbell, who witnessed first hand the struggles of the laborers and unions, and lost almost everything in the process. Watching the events unfold through this first hand narrative, we are instantly reminded that change is often a slow, painful process won on the backs of anonymous, everyday people. The play could have been melodramatic, but the direction and the acting let us see the humanity as well as the strength of these characters and while the subject matter is sad, the treatment of it gave it a depth and clarity it might not have had under less skilled guidance. The supporting cast was flawless and the speeches were moving and powerful. While I learned a lot, I never felt like I was in a history lesson, rather I had the sense of being a guest in a small, Irish kitchen sharing a story and a cup of tea. Kuddos as well for the use of live music! Having live music at all is an amazing feat for a small theater company but the way the musician’s were woven into the narrative of the play, making the music itself seem like another character in the play, is a testament to the wonderful directing of Christopher Wallinger and Lyle Friederichs. Especially noteworthy was Esther’s Tseng’s lovely traditional Irish violin playing which added just the right note of melancholy and authenticity to an already wonderful play.
