Displaying items by tag: David Harrower
Steep Theatre’s A Slow Air is Thought-Provoking and Intimate
It’s Athol’s turn to speak. The lights have come up on his side of the stage and Morna fades into the dark background. Athol is sharing details about his nephew, Josh’s, visit. In this particular memory, Athol and Josh are having lunch at a pub. The conversation remains surface-level at the beginning. Athol and Josh’s mother, Morna, have not been on speaking terms for some time, and Josh seems to understand that it’s complicated. Then Josh shares that his mother was sick, and Athol is taken aback.
“You could have told me.”
“…You could have asked.”
The change in Athol’s demeanor is subtle, and Peter Moore plays that nuance beautifully. There is a small, quick pause before Athol changes the subject and continues on with the conversation. However, it’s clear that Athol is uncomfortable with Josh’s critique – especially because he knows Josh is right. Relationships are a two-way street, and this standoff between Morna and Athol has to end eventually. The question is, who is going to make the first move?
Written by David Harrower, A Slow Air is a two-hander that follows Athol (Peter Moore) and Morna (Kendra Thulin). The siblings have not spoken in years, and despite how close they live to each other, neither has taken a step forward to try and mend the relationship. Harrower’s play features a series of monologues from each of the characters. Over the course of the play, we hear each of their personal accounts of why the relationship is so estranged, and what each may need in order to overcome all the pain of the past.
Cleverly directed by Robin Witt, A Slow Air is deeply moving. Scenic Designer Sotirios Livaditis embraces the intimacy at the Edge Theater Off-Broadway – creating a playing space for the actors that leaves very little distance between the audience and themselves. The stage itself features a hallway with two doors – two entrances that are only used at the beginning and end of the play when the actors enter and exit. You may even find as an audience member that you almost feel like a scene partner in the story – a much-needed confidant as the characters muddle through their troubles. With so little to distract from the actors on stage, Witt lifts up the words themselves, inviting the audience into this estranged relationship. You may find yourself leaning in at times, feeling almost tempted to shake one of the characters into a different decision that could bring some healing.
It is no easy task to carry such an emotional play – especially with the added challenge of no breaks and only speaking in monologues to the audience. However, Thulin and Moore rise to the challenge with ease. The performances are genuine, and Harrower’s exploration of the relationship feels authentic and thoughtful. Family can be tough, and sometimes, the path to healing can take time – a journey that many in the audience are likely to understand.
Strong performances and clever directing make A Slow Air a night of emotional curiosity. Steep Theatre is often known for their grounded, thought-provoking productions. You just might find is a perfect addition to that list.
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A Slow Air runs through March 1, 2025 at the Edge Theater Off-Broadway – 1133 W Catalpa Avenue. See the Steep Theatre website for further information regarding tickets.
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