Sitting (In Silence) tells the story of the powerful bond a daughter has with her father. A complex relationship that brings to light hard truths, as they share an honest and visceral conversation about life and death. Hopes and dreams. Anger and forgiveness. This is a story about the devastation of grief and it hits you hard.
We meet Dad (Alan Turkington of Heartstopper) and Kid (Kitty Falcon who wrote the play) in the Spiritual Garden of a ten-day silent retreat. A place to find yourself and inner peace. Or whatever you’re meant to find while you’re there. The simple yet ethereal stage set and soundscape catches the serenity of the garden beautifully.
Dad is a striking, proud-of-his-heritage, potato-loving Irish bloke. A smoker, a drinker and a joker. His daughter, Kid, is a sceptical, fiery, eye-rolling Gen Z. We listen in on their deeply emotional, sometimes awkward, sometimes funny, conversation about their past, their hopes and their harsh realities. They were never the perfect family, but who is?
As the narrative unfolds we learn that Dad had a drinking problem, often so destructive, it rocked the family to its core. We learn that his dependency devastated Kid when he was wrecked and at his worst. His actions lead her to struggle with her own mental health. Spiralling into moments of depression. Yet unlike Dad, even in her darkest hour, she pushed aside intrusive thoughts for the sake of her sister Nancy and her exhausted Mum. She’d never hurt them like that. Not like he did.
Co-directed by Isabelle Tyner, Sitting (In Silence) is a brilliant piece of writing. It’s raw, poignant and draws you in from start to finish. It’s funny, brutally honest and emotionally charged, sharing some parallel references to the exceptional Fleabag. Kid certainly has a touch of the incredible Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Dad’s performance is mesmerising; he dominates the stage with every sentence he delivers, even in his meekest moments.
It’s a treat to see theatre as good as this at the Brighton Fringe. And the tranquility of the Friends’ Meeting House makes it the perfect venue for a play that pushes and pulls on your heartstrings. Ready to be moved? Grab a ticket. Grab a tissue. Don’t miss this show.
18th, 19th, 25th, 26th, 30th, 31st May and 1st June; 6.30pm; from £6.50
Friends’ Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF
Book tickets
