Walking around the streets of London, the plight of the homeless is sadly an all too often and heart-breaking sight. Wretch, a play by Rebecca Walker and based on interviews with real homeless women, seeks to give us an insight in to the struggles faced by women young and old. In Wretch, the ladies are housed in a shelter, but their struggle hasn’t ended. Far from it.
Amy is a recovering drug addict, when she is housed in a hostel following rehab she meets a familiar face, Irena, and it is with her help she manages to find a job, and looks like she may be turning her life around after all. But as we explore their relationship we start to wonder if Amy has saved Irena’s life, or destroyed it.
The play is supplemented with music from Eliza And The Bear, the lyrics seem to fit the story so perfectly it’s hard to believe that they weren’t written especially for Wretch. Amazing vocals from Tori Allen-Martin, who also plays Amy, are the icing on the cake.
Debra Baker playing Irena really captures the character and is able to convey the complex emotions in the relatively short play. Timothy O’Hara plays both Josh and Mike, switching from Warehouse Manager to recovering addict/ex-boyfriend with ease. The cast work extremely well together and this synergy helps to draw the audience in.
Wretch is one of those rare productions that takes a difficult subject and handles it with sensitivity, without skimping on the harsh realities of life. Watching this play you are completely invested in the characters, willing them to succeed – disappointed, but not angry, when they fail. It’s beautifully staged and the emotional impact makes Wretch a must-see show at this year’s Vault Festival.
