Review: SPARKS by Simon Longman at Jack Studios until 13 July

‘full of dark humour, poking fun at both the ridiculous exploits of people at their lowest and the mundanity of regular activity’ ★★★★

As we dissect the loneliness of two estranged women, we touch on the grief, addiction, upbringing and apathy that led them there without stopping on any one topic for too long. In fact, Sparks seems to not be interested in the traditional arc or plot twist, choosing instead to explore the different ways that loneliness becomes manifest in two sisters from the Midlands. Simon Longman and Julia Stubbs have done a masterful job of portraying women looking in on what makes an ‘ordinary’ life with ‘ordinary’ people and, not being able to achieve that, finding solace in each other. This feeling of grasping at normality is realised by the sparse domesticity of the set, designed by Eleanor Wintour.

That is not to say, however, that this play is one 90-minute misery fest. Sparks is full of dark humour, poking fun at both the ridiculous exploits of people at their lowest and the mundanity of regular activity. This is fronted by the nervous babbling of Jess played by Emma Riches as she tries to reconnect with her sister after twelve years. Despite having a complex whirlwind of witty dialogue that opens the show, Riches never stumbles and, indeed, commands the stage. I would have been completely satisfied if the entire run time had been taken up by her layered performance. That being said, Lisa Minichiello as Sarah plays the perfect foil to Riches’ eccentricities, conveying a believable feeling of abandonment that has built up over many years. As the role is played with an undeniable depth of sadness, you find yourself wishing for the sisters to embrace and for all to be well between them.

What Spark lacks in traditional plot devices, it makes up for in symbolism and haunting glimpses into characters’ consciousness. These cleverly constructed ideas allow what is essentially two women talking in a room not to get tiresome and it leaves much to think about when all is said and done. Such a shrewd script is bound to have a well-crafted finale and Sparks certainly delivers, keeping you on the lookout for those unexpected and all too rare bouts of optimism.

Read our interview with Emma Riches and Lisa Minichiello on championing women in theatre here

Images; Tim Stubbs Hughes

SPARKS by Simon Longman

At Jack Studio Theatre 2 – 13 July

Box Office https://brockleyjack.co.uk/jackstudio-entry/sparks/

Produced by Upper Hand Theatre

Directed by Julia Stubbs

Set by Eleanor Winter

Played by Lisa Minichiello and Emma Riches