by an anonymous guest critic

Working in a funeral home is no fun, but it’s even worse when you encounter somebody you knew while at work. For Rachel, it is the body of a man who sexually assaulted her 11 months ago – a nightmare scenario if ever there was one. Rachel is more calm and professional than anybody could believably expect in these circumstances. As she begins the process of embalming, she recounts the story to the audience whilst working through her feelings of anger, guilt and frustration, and of how she drove her family away and retreated from the world.

It’s a powerful monologue written and convincingly played by Alexandra Donnachie. In the fringe drama landscape, it’s refreshing to come across a character and performance that is nuanced but determinedly un-showy. I kept thinking about how ‘normal’ the character seemed. However, alongside this grounded sense of characterisation, she adds in some physicality to add a little emphasis to parts of the story. As she twists and spins, her movement sometimes bringing to mind a rag doll or a corpse-like carcass on a hook. The movements seem out of her control, much as she is powerless in the story she is telling. 

In the wrong hands this could be clumsy or overdone, but in this show it feels subtle and often powerful. The production may not be for everyone; the subject matter is certainly a deterrent. But it is clear that Donnachie is a talented actress and writer, and I will certainly be buying a ticket for her next work.

When We Died runs through 27 August.

The Play’s the Thing UK is committed to covering fringe and progressive theatre in London and beyond. It is run entirely voluntarily and needs regular support to ensure its survival. For more information and to help The Play’s the Thing UK provide coverage of the theatre that needs reviews the most, visit its patreon.