The Women of Lockerbie by Deborah Brevoort

ensemble theatre · little earthquakes emsemble · Ages 14+ · United States of America

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Review by BRET SHEFTER

June 23, 2018 certified reviewer
tagged as: drama · strong cast · Scotland · tragedy

What I liked

A strong cast overall, with particular standouts Lisa K. Wyatt and Ed Ackerman (who doesn’t even show up until more than halfway through the play). I also appreciated the appropriately different energy levels of different characters.

What I didn't like

The brief fight was unconvincing. As were a couple of the Scottish accents.

The playwright gave several characters lengthy heartfelt monologues that, alas, seemed to serve more to slow down the play than to convey the hoped-for emotion. Best/worst example was the denouement itself: it occurs entirely offstage, and the audience hears only a description of it from another character. (Admittedly, it would be very difficult to stage; doubtless a TV or movie version would not be so limited.) It seems to me a grave error to have the audience miss the most significant part of the entire story, and task the poor actress with trying to convey its gravity in a lengthy monologue.

My overall impression

A generally good script, with some room for improvement, finely acted and directed. A careful and respectful treatment of an international tragedy, with a good message clearly presented, if a tad melodramatic at times.

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