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As the old saying goes: “People fear what they don’t understand and hate what they can’t conquer.” And that rings true for the latest show to grace the stage of the New Vic Theatre, in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Brian Friel’s Faith Healer sounded intriguing, but on opening night, audience members were quick to judge this monologue-led production. One man sat in the row in front of me turned to his wife as the interval cut and exclaimed: “You can’t be enjoying this, it’s like watching paint dry”. As I stood at the bar, I overheard a second woman describe it as ‘not her cup of tea’. The couple who had sat in the seats to my left didn’t return after the break. But let me refer you back to that phrase above.
Faith Healer is not an easy watch. It’s certainly no Mamma Mia or Grease, nor is it an Eric show like many New Vic regulars are used to, but what it is is a thought-provoking and dramatic piece that challenges the concept of traditional theatre and makes for a unique watching experience, serving as an educational watch that proves you don’t have to love a production for it to have been impactful. There’s a reason it was voted as one of the 100 most significant plays of the 20th century in a poll conducted by Royal National Theatre and has been named by The Independent as one of the “40 best plays of all time”
The play’s narrative centres around Frank Hardy, a man with a gift of healing, who travels far and wide to cure those in society finding themselves in need of a helping hand to overcome their emotional, physical or spiritual problems. The play unfolds through a series of four monologues, each narrated by one of the three central characters: Frank Hardy – the enigmatic faith healer; Grace, his long-suffering mistress; and Teddy, Frank’s loyal Cockney manager.
As the lights go up for the first time, we are introduced to Paul Carroll’s Frank, with gingery hair and a thick Irish lilt. He carries with him an air of mystery as he spills his truths, his half truths, and might not be truths to the audience. His performance was impressive, with all eyes watching every carefully considered footstep, ears taking in every spoken word. It was a flawless delivery, that’s for sure. Frank’s struggle with his gift, the ambiguity of his healing abilities, and his inner demons were portrayed with a raw intensity, but would it be enough to convince the audience of his version of events?
Grace, played by Gina Costigan, paints a very different picture of their relationship.. Her shaky voice and nervous disposition carried the weight of years of heartache and sacrifice, depicting a woman torn between love and despair. Directed by Michael Cabot, the minimalist set allowed the actors’ performances to take centre stage, with lighting meticulously timed to punctuate the emotional undercurrents of each monologue.
Teddy provided a much-needed counterbalance to the mystical elements of the play. His storytelling was infused with dry humour and cynicism, yet beneath it lay a profound sense of loyalty and friendship. Jonathan Ashley infused Teddy’s quirky character with a captivating blend of wit and vulnerability, his monologue beautifully paced and laced with laughter. Brian Friel’s script, with its poetic and introspective language, allowed Teddy to really steal the show. Anyone who chose not to return after the interval seriously lucked out, because his likeability and charm saved what could have been an otherwise tedious watch.
Faith Healer may not be the all singing, all dancing production many New Vic Theatre-goers are used to, but that’s not to say it isn’t a provocative piece of theatre that delves deep into the realms of faith, doubt, and the human spirit. It is a theatrical experience that will haunt audiences, leaving them with lingering questions about the nature of belief and the power of illusion.
It’s definitely one of the most divisive productions I’ve seen, but much like how Frank Hardy promises ‘a performance’, Faith Healer offers just that – an opportunity to spend an intimate moment with a mercurial showman, who offers hope and salvation to the afflicted.
Faith Healer is at New Vic until September 9. You can buy your tickets here.
