The Binding (Owl and Cat) – theatre review

I am fast running out of superlatives with which to describe the choice of material, the interpretations and the staging of plays at the Owl and Cat Theatre. Gabrielle Savrone, a director and Thomas Ian Doyle, a playwright and director, took over the space in Swan Street, Richmond only 18 months ago. In that time they have really shaken up the independent theatre scene for the better with their innovative thinking, creativity and passion. They have even put fun into their selection of entry tickets, whether that be playing cards, tokens or, in the case of The Binding, old 45 records.

As you enter the theatre the four actors are already in position, three of them holding props of birds hanging off cascading rods. Annie (Tehya Nicholas) is 25 years of age and she has just attempted suicide by drowning or has she? She tells her bestie Esme (Emily Nasr) that it was research for her Masters, but Esme doesn’t buy it. It is the day before Annie is due to move in to a house she has bought with her boyfriend Cam (Shane Fox Neville), but she hardly appears all that enthused. In fact, Annie is a melancholy sort, who just wants people to leave her alone so she can focus on working on her dissertation.

Her sister Saffi (Jem Nicholas), who is two years her senior, has her own difficulties, having just broken up with her boyfriend because he didn’t want kids. Nevertheless, she is not averse to telling Annie what she should do and how she should do it (which, I suppose, is the want of an older sibling). With Cam working full time, he is still intent on furnishing and fixing up their new abode, although once again Annie is anything but enamoured with the idea. She appears most concerned about their huge mortgage and her studies. That is until she announces she is pregnant, but she is hardly the glowing mother to be looking forward to the day her newborn is brought into the world. You see, getting knocked up looks like forcing her to abandon her educational endeavours, at least for the foreseeable future.

A world premiere from English playwright, actor and director Martha Loader, directed by Ruben Allender Clark, The Binding makes you think, feel and laugh. The action moves along at pace. A lot happens in a short time. A year or so is dealt with in an hour without interval.

The staging is minimalist, the only props being those infernal birds. Do they represent freedom or oppression? That is up to us to interpret. The lack of backdrop and settings though is quite appropriate to the material with which the actors have to work because the focus is squarely on the dialogue, which is smart and sassy. In fact, it feels real and alive.

The acting as a whole is strong and visceral, with the best lines saved for Annie’s older sister, who had her life’s course all worked out by the age of 10 and nothing will derail her dreams.

The ending is perplexing, so best to see it with a friend, which will enable a robust discussion. Put The Binding down as another triumph for Doyle, Savrone and co., who are regularly making people sit up and take notice of their endeavours. Given this quality of entertainment, I, for one, am already looking forward to what’s next on their slate. The Binding is on at the Owl and Cat Theatre until 4th March and you can book tickets here.

Alex First