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Iron
By Rona Munro
Directed by Kurt Johns
At Apple Tree Theatre
1850 Green Bay Road
Highland Park, IL
Call 847-432-4335, tickets $35 - $45
Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sundays at 3 & 7 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through March 4, 2007
Compelling drama a complex story
Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park is offering one of the finest plays of the year. Rona Munro’s script is an unsentimental work that unfolds as a psychological drama full of subtle, tense and harrowing drama.
Set in a Scottish women’s prison, Iron tells the story of a “lifer” Fay (Kristen Fitzgerald in a most riveting and nuanced performance) is in prison for murdering her husband 15 years ago. Her daughter, Josie (the charming Lindsay Gould) after a 15 year absence, decides to visit her mother to find out about her father with whom is has no memories and to reestablish a relationship with her mother.
This play, written in 2003, is a tense character sketch that unfolds as gradual emotional journey that has clever twists and a plausible conclusion. The two prison guards, George (Steve Misteic) and Sheila (Anita Deely) add depth to the show as they are not the stereotyped prison guards.
This well written play is a fresh take on the clichéd daughter meets estranged mother structure. We wonder why Jay killed her husband; she had never told anyone her motive. The dramatic tension is weaved as Josie and Fay interact during the prison visits. This splendid play has a most satisfying structure. It’ll grab you and hold you tight until the end. This is a tremendous, marvelously acted beautifully paced show. Director Kurt Johns has a mounted a gem. Don’t miss this powerful play.
Highly recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed: February 17, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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