A SAM Shepard play is hard to do on any level. You have to give your all.

A Lie Of The Mind: Told in three acts set in California and Montana, the story alternates between two families after a severe incident of spousal abuse leaves all their lives altered until the final collision at an isolated cabin.

The two families, one composed of Baylor, Meg, Beth, and Mike, the other composed of Lorraine, Sally, Frankie, and Jake are connected by the marriage of Jake and Beth, whose beating and subsequent hospitalization at the hands of Jake initiates the beginning of the play.

Exploring family dysfunction and the nature of love, the play follows Jake and the family as they struggle with Beth’s brain damage.

What we had here, was eight actors at the top of their game and a director brave and able enough to take on Shepherd.

It was good to see Myles Lovell (Jake) given a role that really stretched and tested him. Kristian Burnett as his brother Frankie was a very good foil. In the early scenes, they really developed the tension and the plot.

Myles really brought out the intensity of his character but also revealed what an unpleasant character as well. After all, this was a violent wife abuser.

Frankie was the link between the two scenes and Kristian was a perfect link.

Back in Montana, Anna Turnell was outstanding. Her character was complicated anyway but the early scenes with brain damage was superb and very affecting. This was a very demanding role. It would be very easy to overact and many who take on the role do.

She was ably assisted by her brother Mike (Dan Ricketts). His was truly a pivotal role. He was at once a caring brother but also a man who wanted revenge.

The set was plain. Two rooms in two states. With a running time of two and a half hours, this was going to be a challenge but (and we are critical of running times), this could have benefited from an other half hour. The final scene felt a bit rushed. (You just can’t please everyone!).

The supporting actors were alsoo very strong. Adam Thompson makes every role his own. He really understands the themes of Shepherd’s work and embodied them with his Baylor. Many of Shepherd’s characters repeat themselves like an incantation.

Both Charlotte Pritchard as Lorraine and Kate Harris as Meg were also outstanding. Kate in particular in the second half had a quiet towering presence. How to emote what is unsaid. A special talent.

One of the most touching scenes was the beginning of the second half between Lorraine and Sally (Jess Ricketts). This extended dialogue may have been our highlight. It got to the heart of the characters but as they referenced the father and Mexico, you learned so much. It was also another example of how generous and understated an actor Jess Ricketts is.

Kevin Smith’s direction was understated and it was all the more effective. It came across that he understood Shepherd. Yes, this is intense and emotional and a fine director brings it out.

As we have said: we are blessed to have such a variety of theatre in Harlow. We have just reviewed Brief Encounter, Fairapy an next we move on to Moot House and then to HiDeHi.

But it is vital we support and enable brave, challenging theatre that makes you think, provokes and or elicits a reaction.

Play continues through to Saturday.

https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/harlow/the-victoria-hall-theatre-old-harlow/a-lie-of-the-mind/e-adjkrg