Morning, Afternoon and Evening, Viking Theatre

Each movement of the day in the title is a monologue that seperately tells an individual story, but together they become an interconnecting one told from the view point of three characters: Niall, Danny and Gabby. The culmnination of the three in this run has grown over a period of time, with Morning being presented as part of Bloodties - a trilogy of one act plays, Afternoon was added to this for a run in the Project Arts and now Evening rounds it off, creating a full evening that is written, and performed by Andy Hinds, perhaps better known for directing on many different stages. In fact, Morning marked Hind's debut as an actor on stage.

Morning, which may be the strongest, introduces us to Niall, who tells us how his life has always been 'fine', from listening to Mozart growing up in Northern Ireland, to his current job, working as a librarian. From the first line and entrance he draws us in. His is a tale of longing, hope and pent up frustrations at his 'fine' life, delivered with care and skill by Hinds, using the lone chair on stage in front of a gathering storm backdrop as he navigates this lonely turning point in his life.

Loneliness is a theme that continues in Afternoon. Danny went to college, was proud that he did, but finds that as a Catholic in Northern Ireland there are no jobs for him as others with less, or no qualifications, are hired instead simply because they are not catholics. The scenario is stark, but the focus is Danny, who decides to leave and like Niall, has his own frustrations, which don't stay pent up, they come out, much to his own horror. There is a wonderful moment where he realises he simply 'wants to go home' excellently written and performed by Hinds, although more tightening up might be in order, which I have no doubt it will. 

Afternoon is Gabby's tale of her relationship with Danny and Niall, and how the three all pull together, but again, like the two before, she is not so sure, there is a feeling of inadequacy, not worthy of pleasures life offers, fueled pehaps by her own disappointment in herself. Here Hinds, dressed simply in pink dressing gown, slipper and pyjama bottoms, moves between all three characters, unifying the piece and drawing the strands together. 

Hinds tells the three stories very, very well, drawing us in from the beginning, using clear language, telling a non-linear story, words arriving to us as if thought of in that moment. The characters speak not to the audience but some one else, be it a wife or a dead mother, but not present to them. Although the result is the same, it gives it a more personal feeling, their own inner thoughts being voiced, in a very well written work from Hinds.

There isn't much humour in the piece, but it is a compelling, and interesting work, that focuses on loss, loneliness and longing. But there is also hope. It is acted very well in a convincing perfomance that the audience got behind and enjoyed. There is depth and skill involved making it worth taking a look at.