Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me

by sally on Friday, January 14, 2011
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written by Frank McGuinness

directed by Marc Dugmore

Date: Tuesday 5th to Saturday 9th April, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Swan Theatre Studio
Box office: 01905 611427

The cast: Chris Isaac, Nick Marston and Keith Thompson

The play
Three men are held by unknown captors somewhere in Lebanon (but it could be anywhere in the world). They have no idea why they have been taken or by whom. They are chained up and what follows is an exploration of the human psyche as the three try to stay sane. They recall moments from their personal lives and often slip into fantasy as the toll of boredom and uncertainty takes effect on the isolation and terror they find themselves encapsulated in. The characters adopt each others’ mannerisms and slide into circular monologues clinging onto trivial details of their lives, by turns supporting and tormenting each other. At one point there is an enactment of Virginia Wade’s famous Wimbledon victory as they play mind games with each other, write imaginary letters home, drink imaginary martinis, make imaginary films and tell each other stories, as the details of their lives in the real world are slowly revealed.

This is a powerful piece full of pathos and humour (and there is lots of humour) that needs strong and powerful characters. It is based on the experiences of Brian Keenan who was held hostage in the Lebanon with John McCarthy and Terry Waite.

Frank McGuinness met Brian Keenan, a fellow Irishman, after his release after four-and-a-half years in captivity and was so astonished at how well Keenan had suffered such a terrible mental, physical and emotional ordeal that he felt he wanted to celebrate his courage. With Keenan’s blessing, he wrote “Someone…”. The result is this intense drama.

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