The Retreat

The Retreat is a comedy drama and is the first play written by Sam Bain the Bafta award-winning co-creator of Peep Show and Fresh Meat. It tells the story of thirtysomething Luke, who has quit his high-powered City job to become a Buddhist and goes to a retreat in a secluded hut in the Scottish highlands, searching for the inner peace that has eluded him thus far, but any attempts to find that peace are soon squashed when his older brother, Tony, arrives.

There is no stage at the Hall so a portable structure had been erected to house the one-roomed hut. There was a camp bed with a small side cupboard containing books etc., a large table on which was placed a portable stove, a kettle, crockery and cutlery and a small table used as an ‘altar’ with a Buddha, candles and flowers on it. In front of this were eight clay bowls, a pestle and mortar and a jug.

Luke enters to ‘drone -like’ music wearing harem trousers and a top and has pouches hanging from a cord round his waist. He mixes a drink, lights the ‘candles’, gives thanks to Buddha by kneeling several times with his head to the floor, takes out his meditation beads from the pouch and proceeds to meditate. At this point his brother enters wearing outdoor clothing and a mask, carrying a rucksack and makes his presence felt by knocking a container of cutlery off the table. The two men are complete opposites in that Luke was an investment banker, is now seeking spiritual enlightenment in the countryside and is celibate whilst Tony works for Deliveroo, loves London, takes drugs and definitely wants the company of women. It appears that Tony has come to see Luke to tell him of their Great Uncle’s demise in Vancouver.

Stuart Nelson was absolutely outstanding as Luke. He totally captures all the nuances of the character brilliantly. At first we see a lovely open faced person as he describes his love for Buddhism and that he wants to become a monk. His every word was delivered with such fervour and belief. Later his anger shows no bounds as he demands that Tony leave and in no uncertain terms tells him that he only thinks of himself. It was such a heartrending and emotional outburst from Stuart when he tells Tony that following his divorce etc. he had thoughts about ending his life because he felt such a failure and it was only when he went to a festival, where he met Tara, that saved his life. He most definitely squares up to Tony even when he threatens him with a knife and the following tussle was so well enacted. He eventually realises, when he tells Tony that he is going to sell his London flat and with the money help to enhance the retreat and also build a Temple and after hearing Tony’s admittance that he is heavily in debt, that this is the real reason he has come to see him. Tony too was exceptional portrayed by Phil Robinson. He was so down to earth, so matter of fact and so tell it as it is. On his initial arrival he takes goodies out of his rucksack including a large Toblerone and of course the inevitable cocaine which Luke knocks out of his hand but Tony proceeds to sweep it up. He tries his level best to get his brother to give up on Buddhism by relating facts about their upbringing, their parents, that Luke was the golden boy, that he was the one who encouraged him and supported him in his ambitions and that whatever he did was never enough so was always looking for the next fix. He also goes to great lengths to explain to Luke that he has googled Tara and she has no assets and is definitely after him for his money. It doesn’t help matters when Tony discovers a ‘porn’ magazine beneath the blanket on the bed!! Tony has some super and cynical one-liners which Phil delivers with excellent comic timing, amazing facial expressions along side his very verbose eruptions of his real-life concerns which he delivers with great conviction. It was a great performance. Before the main conflicts arise between the brothers we meet Tara, who is an Irish hippy Buddhist and appears in green body paint and hippy style clothes and a glittering tiara. Tara was well played by Jessie Robyn who stepped in at a late stage to take on the role. She has a soft, quiet voice and her accent was spot-on but at times I did find it a little difficult to hear what she said and the acoustics of the Hall certainly didn’t help. Jessie totally showed her disapproval of Tony in no uncertain manner as she endeavours to keep Luke on the path of righteousness. However when she appears towards the end of the play without the green paint and after Luke shows her the ’book’ she responds by pointing out to him that there are eight bowls and there should be only seven to which Luke gets so angry that he smashes one of the bowls on the floor. He demands that she tells him what she really thinks and her first reply is that he is taking things too seriously but then she comes clean about her situation. Luke tries to kiss her but is rebuffed, she quickly exits and it is then that he realises that what Tony had told him, was is in fact the truth. Tony returns, Luke decides to keep the flat, Tony sits on the floor and tells the most fantastic story then moves to the bed and simply asks ‘Are we going back to London’, to which Luke replies, whilst meditating, by just saying ‘Maybe’.

This was a funny but extremely thought provoking play which was so wonderfully delivered and I do so hope that I have managed to convey the gist of it. Congratulations must go to Director Peter Allan, to Stage Managers Christopher Pawley and Josh Allerton, to Stage Technician Rob Keeling, to Bob Pugh, Claire Bennett and Equatorial for help with props and scenery but most of all to two outstanding and talented actors, Stuart and Phil, not forgetting the excellent input from Jessie. Also many thanks for the warm reception I received from Peter.

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