Catalysta
Oval House
3 Stars
Running Time – approx 90 minutes (no interval)
Running dates: 21st October – 8th November
Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for Whatsonstage.com
Hurricanes can rip through a city and destroy it within a matter of moments; throwing everything and everyone into turmoil.
Families on the other hand may not seem as threatening and they may take a little bit longer but they too can wreak havoc which unfortunately can’t always be rebuilt.
Allister Bain’s Catalysta emerged from a story that was initially going to be about the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in Grenada in 2004. However what emerged is the story of a family in trouble; a family that needs a “catalyst” for change.
It is shortly after Hurricane Ivan’s attack on Grenada and Eartha (Carmen Munroe) is at the end of her tether; not with the effects of the hurricane but with her family. Her daughter (Pat) and her husband (Lionel) and their little girl have moved into Eartha and her husband Edward’s house. Not because they lost theirs in the hurricane but because Lionel is a good for nothing sponger and Pat lets him get away with it. The arrival of Eartha’s sister Catalysta (Angela Wynter) soon changes things as she blows through the house forcing the family to confront issues that are well over due.
The performances are strong; however Catalysta is more of a powerful gale than a hurricane. Bain skates over the surface of this family’s issues without ever really delving further to allow us to discover the reasons for any of their problems and as a result the play doesn’t really go anywhere; it simply meanders along to a rather predictable conclusion.
Having said this, the dialogue is very well observed and the cast turn in engaging performances. Munroe is delightful as the matriarchal head of this family, stern yet soft and she certainly knows how to move. Wynter, as the complete opposite of her sister Eartha is exotic and glamorous as Catalysta but with a beautiful heart and open mind.
The audible enjoyment from the audience in their recognition of certain character types is intoxicating and whilst this can’t be guaranteed every night, Catalysta does appeal to an audience who have similar family backgrounds. Not that it alienates those from other cultural upbringings but with the plot being a little on the weak side it is this point of recognition where the majority of the enjoyment is to be found.
Oval House
3 Stars
Running Time – approx 90 minutes (no interval)
Running dates: 21st October – 8th November
Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for Whatsonstage.com
Hurricanes can rip through a city and destroy it within a matter of moments; throwing everything and everyone into turmoil.
Families on the other hand may not seem as threatening and they may take a little bit longer but they too can wreak havoc which unfortunately can’t always be rebuilt.
Allister Bain’s Catalysta emerged from a story that was initially going to be about the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in Grenada in 2004. However what emerged is the story of a family in trouble; a family that needs a “catalyst” for change.
It is shortly after Hurricane Ivan’s attack on Grenada and Eartha (Carmen Munroe) is at the end of her tether; not with the effects of the hurricane but with her family. Her daughter (Pat) and her husband (Lionel) and their little girl have moved into Eartha and her husband Edward’s house. Not because they lost theirs in the hurricane but because Lionel is a good for nothing sponger and Pat lets him get away with it. The arrival of Eartha’s sister Catalysta (Angela Wynter) soon changes things as she blows through the house forcing the family to confront issues that are well over due.
The performances are strong; however Catalysta is more of a powerful gale than a hurricane. Bain skates over the surface of this family’s issues without ever really delving further to allow us to discover the reasons for any of their problems and as a result the play doesn’t really go anywhere; it simply meanders along to a rather predictable conclusion.
Having said this, the dialogue is very well observed and the cast turn in engaging performances. Munroe is delightful as the matriarchal head of this family, stern yet soft and she certainly knows how to move. Wynter, as the complete opposite of her sister Eartha is exotic and glamorous as Catalysta but with a beautiful heart and open mind.
The audible enjoyment from the audience in their recognition of certain character types is intoxicating and whilst this can’t be guaranteed every night, Catalysta does appeal to an audience who have similar family backgrounds. Not that it alienates those from other cultural upbringings but with the plot being a little on the weak side it is this point of recognition where the majority of the enjoyment is to be found.
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