Sacred Heart ( Archived )

Reviews

newspaper reviews

(L to R) Michael French; Ewan Stewart, Doon Makichan; Cecelia Noble

Production photography by Joe Dilworth

Director: Edward Hall, Designer: Francis O’Connor, Lighting Designer: Ian Sommerville, Sound Designer: Rich Walsh

Cast: Michael French, Doon Makichan, Cecelia Noble, Ewan Stewart

‘Almost every potential cliche in the play has an artful twist that redeems it and Edward Hall’s well-paced production elicits beautifully shaded performances as he signals, through the wide-boy swagger, a lost soul who has seen through success and will spend the rest of his life romantically pining for an unrecoverable youth… It is a mark of its comic suppleness when Gerry makes an offer that exposes Patrick’s inadequacy all over again but the mood is not tragic but rueful. Patrick, the life-long, small time-builder, wriggles out of the project by admitting he cannot stand the noise and mess of big building sites. Quirky touches such as that ensure Sacred Heart is no standard trudge down the obstacle course of memory lane.’

The Independent 1-4-99

‘Edward Hall’s production is played with the right degree of suppurating tension by Ewan Stewart as the chippy Irish builder, Michael French as his one-time adolescent shadow, and Doon Makichan as his wife. It’s a demanding, tightly structured play to which attention must be paid.’

The Guardian 3-4-99

‘On a seedy set, overlooked by a tacky statue of Christ, Sacred Heart is forcefully directed by Edward Hall. As Jerry, former EastEnders star Michael French is suave and cool, while Ewan Stewart’s Pat exudes disappointment and aggression. Doon Mackichan’s sincere but angry Kate is well balanced by Cecelia Noble’s slick Line. This is an immaculately acted study of male ambition.’

The Stage 8-4-99