Reviewer: Charlie Spargo
Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Belfast-based writer Vittoria Caffola’s The Replacement Child, we hear the story of the birth of Grace (Caroline Read) from her distant father, whom she has confronted not long after her 18th birthday.
She demands to hear about who her mother really was and what happened to her. Her father, Oscar (Rupert Hill), relents and reveals the truth, presented in three concurrent and weaving storylines – the present day as the story is told, the day of Grace’s birth, and a separate period as the couple attempt parenthood. As more hidden questions are answered, more continue to arise.
The three situations are visited in turn by characters seamlessly moving between different parts of the set. The design is instantly striking upon entering the space at Hope Mill – both the lighting and set design, by Adam Murdoch and Sorcha Corcoran respectively, were superb.
The play explores parenthood and strained relationships with rawness and honesty, and rarely pulls punches – with highly-charged moments between the small cast of just four. At times – particularly towards the beginning – the writing wobbled, but a number of compelling and meaningful speeches and soliloquies came throughout.
It makes great use of multimedia too – with music and video effectively setting the mood, building tension and sometimes a feeling of discomfort as more difficult themes are explored.
Clare Cameron as Jude, the mother Grace never met, gave a particularly powerful performance. She was at various times bitter, passionate, remorseful and caring – and really drew you into the story as a whole. Managing to realistically portray labour is highly impressive, too. As founder of Abooo Theatre, the production company, Cameron is clearly committed to a realistic and believable portrayal of parenting.
At a few points, the actors’ performances risked becoming lost – in the intimate, 100-seat space there wasn’t much chance of that happening, but in a larger venue, some of their lines would have failed to travel. It was also a shame certain emotionally-charged moments that could have been quite stirring lacked the necessary power and passion at times and were a little understated.
The Replacement Child does a good job of creating a story filled with revelations, emotion and an understanding of failed relationships. Through strong characterisation and excellent production, it makes its mark.
-Charlie Spargo
The Replacement Child Runs at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester until 23rd February 2018.