In the last nine months the world has been brought together in a collective crisis, but in ordinary times it’s sometimes easy to forget that the challenges we face in our own lives are not shared by the outside world, life goes on as they say. Logan Jones’ monologue, The Same Rain That Falls On Me, showing as part of Online@TheSpaceUK Festival, does a marvellous job of highlighting this concept.
This astutely written play, directed by Jay Seldon, follows a young girl who must travel home to be with her father in his final days. With strong elements of observational writing we are drawn in to this tale of two parts; one which deals with the everyday goings on during the journey and at the hospital, and an other which deals with the torment and heartache of losing a loved one.
Despite the subject matter, The Same Rain That Falls On Me feels enlightening and moving rather than morbid. The floating between casual information and grittier themes keeps the entire thing engaging, and we find ourselves bought in to this individual’s story from fairly early on.
There are rich pickings in such a story, and Logan Jones makes full use of them. The mechanics of this familial unit create as interesting dialogue as when we’re hearing about climate protestors blocking the way to the station. Moments of dark humour perfectly balance the moments of pathos, and audiences will find themselves reflecting on much of what our protagonist has to say, because this is a story we can all identify with.
The Same Rain That Falls On Me ran at York Theatre Royal in 2019, and is presented by York University Drama Society, a highly respected institution that lives up to its reputation with this piece. Performer, Ella McKeown has a wonderfully natural style of delivery that makes this feel pertinently real, like a FaceTime call with an old friend in need of a shoulder to cry on.
Combining family and bereavement in this witty monologue pays off, leaving us with a feeling of hopefulness for our new found friend. The Same Rain That Falls On Me is well written and superbly performed, and demonstrates that even in a collective crisis, individuals can shine through.
