REVIEW: PIECES OF US showing at Rosemary Branch Theatre 11 -15 October 2023

‘Storytelling with rare care and compassion’ ★★★ 1/2

In an ambitious turn this show sees writer and performer Jessica Munna bring to life 5 distinct characters, each struggling with their own unique but familiar facet of grief in modern America. From a teacher still wracked with trauma and guilt after their former student went on a shooting spree to a New Yorker who lost both their parents following the 9/11 rescue efforts, this is all subject matter we’re well-acquainted with but rarely witness on a London stage.

Rarely as well is it done with as much care and compassion as Munna achieves here in both her writing and her performance, finding the fundamentally human and hurt inside everyone from rednecks to business executives. The portrayals of these characters are notable as well for the attempt to ground their subjects in an earthy realism with authentic accents and mannerisms. I say ‘attempt’ here, as the end result is a little hit or miss.

At its best the show is genuinely touching, sliding under your skin and making you feel for characters driven to the edge by the many ongoing injustices in the United States. When it stumbles, it is precisely because the character being portrayed lands less as a real person and more as a caricature. The redneck character in particular is a good example of this, and though representing this kind of voice may be important for the show’s overall message it simply wasn’t believable on the night.

Additionally, every piece feels a little too long, making their point well but then lingering for another few minutes; each could do with being made a little shorter and snappier. The artist character who bridges each piece is an exception to this, as they were an interesting and perhaps under-utilized voice.

But beyond these stumbling points, Munna has her finger firmly on the pulse of modern tragedy. The monologue and performance on school shootings in particular was passionately executed and ensured there were few dry eyes in the house – a commendable achievement, only possible through the kind of delicate and heartfelt storytelling on display here.

Read our interview with Jessica Munna and Amy Garner Buchanan here

Pieces of Us showing at The Rosemary Branch 11th -15th October 2023

Box Office: https://www.rosemarybranchtheatre.co.uk/show/pieces-of-us

Written and Performed by Jessica Munna

Directed by Amy Garner Buchanan

Reviewed by Harry Conway