Fiery, political, complex and eloquent, the only thing missing from Mixed Marriage is chemistry.
Grappling with gender issues, sectarian violence and parenthood, St John Ervine's Mixed Marriage was born in the era of suffragettes and widespread brazen bigotry. In an age where the Northern Ireland Mixed Marriage Association exists it still resonates, though not so much in this country. Here we see fit to beam analysis of socio-political issues to the masses in barely significant, thin anecdotal clips via 4thought.tv that only serve to enforce what individuals already believe.
Ervine's play, on the other hand, is an example of eloquent, complex public discussion on an unresolved issue. Through the headstrong John Rainey he presents a preachy, respected liberal who, though hopeful that Ireland can one day be united if only Protestants and Catholics could get along, is vehemently against the two marrying. Stubborn and powerful, we don't get to hear much meaningful discussion from John. What we do see in the steely performance from Daragh O'Malley, is the conviction John has in his Protestant beliefs, his iron-willed patriarchy, and the fear he has of dilution of the religion.
By contrast, most of the truly meaningful discussion comes from John's wife. It's her essential openness and perpetual kindness that Ervine uses to tackle the ever-confusing battle between one's self and the politics one is born into. Through her, religion becomes an identity, a culture and a guideline. But to her husband, compromise means dilution.
Fittingly, the polemical setting of early 20th century Ireland is what enables this subject to be addressed effectively in a ninety minute-long play at all. A depiction of today's quiet, stumbling political correctness on the issue would struggle not to be bland. Here the only blandness comes with the romance, which Ervine doesn't handle as well as the socio-politics, and this production doesn't attempt to patch over the failing.
This puts the central couple in an odd position, as neither Nora nor Hugh are given much of a chance to express their feelings to each other, and when they do there's a notable lack of chemistry. The predictable ending that sees Nora exhaust herself over the guilt of it all during a riot is predictable and poorly staged. After she spends a lot of time nodding along in agreement with Mrs Rainey and talking about how she can't live without Hugh, I can't help feeling her role is simply functional and could have been re-worked to better effect.
But it doesn't take away from how compelling and classically combative Mixed Marriage is. This play from 31productions serves as a reminder and a pointed comment on the way we define fearless theatre today.
Mixed Marriage runs at Finborough Theatre until 29th October 2011.
Click here for Theatre in London
Click here for Things to do in London
Add an event
Frieze Art Fair to launch new section for young galleries in 2012
Frieze have today announced details for the 2012 edition, their tenth art fair in London. Taking place...