Inspired by the lesser-known history of the Samaritans in the 1970s and ’80s, The Brenda Line is about Karen (Charlotte Grayson) and Anne (Fiona Bruce), a new-start and an old-hand during their first Samaritans nightshift together. Both are there to answer the phone and help callers (voiced here by Colin McCrodie, Eden Barrie, and Ali Watt), with Karen also hoping to get inspiration for a book out of them. However, reality and experience don’t always live up with ideals, not least of which through the existence of the Brenda Line, the Samaritans philanthropic sex-line.
Grayson and Bruce effectively anchor the show through their performances, with Bruce in particular conveying well the earthy weariness of reality against Grayson’s two-dimensional idealism and imagination. Harry Mould’s script, though apparently inspired by real-life events in their mother’s teenage life, is at times predictable (I heard at least 3 audience members whisper the punchline to a joke about 2 minutes ahead of the actors), however, with that minor caveat, both it and Ben Occhipinti’s direction ably juggle comedy and drama in a, at times literally, locked room.
Speaking of the setting, Natalie Fern’s design effectively sets the period – aided with some popular introductory Thatcher-bashing in Niroshini Thambar’s sound design – the set also giving the actors geography and props to set business around and immersing the audience in the time and place, with some minor concessions made to reality. We must tip our hats to the usher stationed each night to make sure the audience keeps their dirty paws off the carpet while entering or leaving the space, or to characters apparently able to read a book in the dark.
However, these are very minor quibbles which I am sure even those who notice will not mind in a show which, with both comedy and drama, pulls back the curtain on topics which are both period and present, even when certain facets may not be very well known to us.
The Brenda Line is running at the Traverse Theatre until 16th November 2024. Tickets can be found at: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/the-brenda-line-autumn-24
Reviewer: Oliver Giggins
Reviewed: 14th November 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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