This is a bold, unsettling and disturbing play. Pinter is at his finest in this examination of male illusion, almost fantasy at the arrival of a female in their feral masculine home.
Shanaya Rafaat as Ruth, Mathew Horne as Lenny and Keith Allen as Max | Photo © Manuel Harlan
Here we find Teddy (Sam Alexander) returning home for the first time in years to introduce his wife, Ruth (Shanaya Rafaat) to his father Max (Keith Allen), brothers Lenny (Mathew Horne), Joey (Geoffrey Lumb) and Uncle Sam, (Ian Bartholomew).
Keith Allen is a fiercely unpleasant, foul-mouthed father. Mathew Horne is in commanding style as Lenny, a high-class pimp who is reduced to a quivering teen in his demands of Ruth and a glass of water.
Ian Bartholomew is the beleaguered Uncle who as chauffeur manages to escape the chilling suffocation of the men prowling around the oversized cage of the lounge. But always must return and eventually share his secret. If even it is, the audience never truly know.
The arrival of Shanaya Rafaat turns their world upside down. Without a mother, they have been raised by the emotionally barren Max. Their social skills are limited and female contact non-existent.
Jamie Glover directs with precision. The power games beautifully crafted on the stunning design from Liz Croft. The production is lit by Johanna Town.
There is moral ambiguity in this piece which will no doubt raise challenging conversations. It is purposely confusing and alienating.
However, Ruth is given the option to stay; her demands are high. The question is: would Ruth really take further rules from these men?
It is difficult and unsettling, but an excellent production with a stellar cast.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
The Homecoming is showing at the Theatre Royal in Bath until Saturday 9th April 2022.
