Orphans

“Orphans” is a very powerful play by Lyle Kessler. It tells the story of two grown up orphan brothers from North Philadelphia. The older brother, Treat, is a petty thief who is violent towards his brother and anyone else he meets. Phillip is the younger brother, he is kept innocent and illiterate and not allowed to leave the house by Treat’s misguided attempts to protect him. The third character in the play is Harold who is a gangster from Chicago and an orphan himself. Harold is kidnaped by Treat and the harrowing story unfolds ….
“Orphans” has been brilliantly directed by Mark Walker with exceptional casting and staging that took the audience on a roller coaster of emotions.
The three actors all gave outstanding performances and interacted well throughout the play. They each had believable and well-sustained characters. Daniel Fortune as Treat showed a streak of male-violence that was quite chilling and at times uncomfortable to watch, at the end of the play he showed a different, softer side to Treat when he cradled in his dead mothers coat. Bobby Mutch as Phillip managed to portray the child-like innocence and naivety of his character very well and showed how much Phillip craved the love of his dead mother. Alan Galway as Harold made his entrance as a very plausible drunk, his character always appeared to have an alternative motive for his actions. It was very uncomfortable to watch his interaction with Phillip in act one when he wanted to touch his shoulders and give him “encouragement”, Phillip appeared to enjoy the contact but Treat became quite violent when Harold tried to give him “encouragement”. It was not until the very end of the play that I realised that Harold was not a paedophile but was in fact their father!

The incredible acting by Daniel, Bobby and Alan kept the audience on the edge of their seats all through the play as the tension and atmosphere built to its dramatic climax. Congratulations on three awesome performances!

The set for “Orphans” was very well constructed and dressed. The costumes were excellent. The lighting and sound quality was very good throughout.
Well done to all at Bonkers Theatrical for this thought provoking and tense drama.

CAROLINE JERVIS                                                                                                                                    NODA EAST MIDLANDS DISTRICT 7 REPRECENTATIVE. 

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