FATHERLAND

Royal Exchange Theatre

Until July 22

A PLAY by the writer of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Underworld’s Karl Hyde?

Well, that combo certainly had my attention.

Add Scott Graham – from physical theatre company Frantic Assembly – to the mix of Simon Stephens and Hyde and you have the ingredients for a bold, energetic and mesmerising 90 minutes of theatre.

Fatherland, on at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester until July 22, runs straight through with no interval.

The tension and energy builds, much like being at an Underworld show.

But this is no music gig. This is a story – many stories – inspired by conversations with fathers and sons from the trio’s home towns.

The play is dark yet hopeful, poignant without being twee, thought-provoking but not overbearing.

Fatherland explores identity, nationality, masculinity and the incredible 13-strong cast portrays a range of faces and the feelings behind them.

Feelings we don’t always get to hear, or even necessarily want to hear.

The three writers are portrayed in the play, as they embark on interviews with participants in their project.

Why are they doing it? What does it mean? What effect does our relationship with our father have on our life? And what happens when it’s gone?

These words, combined with the music and movement, take you on a journey through these people’s stories.

Take a risk, get a ticket and you may just recognise some of your own story.

Melanie Disley