When it premiered at Greenwich Theatre in 1985, My Brother’s Keeper received rave reviews, prompting The Guardian to describe it as “a very good new play – witty as well as touching, objective as well as subjective” and The Sunday Times to label it as “impeccable”. Now some 34 years later, Nigel Williams’ incisive, funny and affecting play about broken sibling relationships receives its first major revival in a production starring Andy de la Tour.
My Brother’s Keeper is at The Playground Theatre 26th February to 23rd March 2019.
You’re starring in My Brother¹s Keeper at The Playground Theatre, what can you tell us about it?
It’s a play that made its first appearance at The Greenwich theatre in 1985 directed by Alan Dosser which is receiving its first revival. It’s a brilliantly witty and touching play that manages to navigate the emotional turbulence of a family caught in a trying situation.
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
Mr Stone, is a man who has had a stroke, he is relinquishing his grasp on life but has to do one more thing before he finally gives in to the inevitable. Playing a character who has suffered a stroke is challenging and it has been quite an exploration into understanding the effects of a disabling illness.
What will be the most challenging thing about performing in this production?
Being a very intense piece of theatre you have to be very attentive to each other as the production moves quickly. That and lying in a hospital bed for an hour and a half.
It first played in 1985, why do you think it¹s still relevant today?
Essentially the play is a family drama and is therefore easily relatable to any audience who will no doubt see shades of their own family. It is also a play about acceptance of the other which I think is more important now than ever. Along with the issues of how we care for the dying and the perilous state of the NHS there’s a lot there that is very relevant.
What do you like most about Nigel Williams’ writing?
Nigel’s dialogue is fluent and real. He manages a fine balance between the naturalistic and the ephemeral which elevates the play out of a hum drum kitchen sink drama. He has the ability to ground sometimes unforgiving actions in real and substantial motives.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see My Brother’s Keeper?
The show highlights the fractious relationship between a family that anyone will be able to identify with. It’s amusing, caustic and touching.
My Brother’s Keeper runs at The Playground Theatre from February 26 to March 23. For more details and booking – www.theplaygroundtheatre.london / 020 8960 0110
