Heisenberg by Simon Stephens. The Arcola Studio 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 until 10 May 2025, 3☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

Heisenberg by Simon Stephens. The Arcola Studio 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 until 10 May 2025, 3☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Fine Performances.”

The Heisenberg principle is basically is about uncertainty and how one can never ultimately nail anything down. Simon Stephen's play was last seen with Anne Marie Duff and Kenneth Cranham in the West End when it got decent reviews with most of the praise going to the actors. It is about Alex. an elderly butcher, who, while sitting on a bench in St Pancras station passing the time, is suddenly kissed on the back of the neck by a forty something woman and what follows which is in a way a rom com but with serious overtones about love between the generations and reawakened feelings. The reason for this revival is quite simply that the sexes are now the same and the butcher is played – very well – by Jenny Galloway. As Georgie, the possibly predatory woman, Faline England matches eher beautifullywhen it comes to performance. The problem is that changing the sex of the possible victim has altered everything and maybe what happens is sometimes less credible, even if you accept the Heisenberg principle.The 75 year old Alex treats what has happened with reserve but is not upset and the couple talk, but he also gives away rather too much about what he does and where. So in due course who arrives at the butcher's shop but Georgie and a mating game ensues in the course of which he learns she has a son in America she wants to visit but she has no money. Is she out to con him or is the relationship developing between the generations going to survive. Alex's clearly onfortable existence is suddenly turned topsy turvey. Willhe surivive? Is she just coming him? Is something real being tentatively worked out? It is well worth finding out, director Katherine Farmer has placed the warfare, the wooing or whatever is on a bare stage except for a couple of chairs as props which get moved around and some hooks on the wall on which to hang the occasional garment that needs changing and found ways of making it all move from station to shop with just the resiting of a chair or two.. At times it is funny, some of it is rather sad although Alex is not necessarily to be pitied – her old age is settled enough and her past may well have had its moments, and as for Georgie, well one never quite knows how much of a con she is conducting, or just how lonely she actually is and how the settled little man offers some sort of refuge. The American son remains elusive to say the least which all adds to the meaning of the title. The performances are,however, the main reason to go, even if the change of sex for the butcher does have side effects as far as the play is concerned.

Cast

Jenny Galloway – Alex

Faline England – Georgie

Creatives

Director – Katharine Farmer

Choreography – Anna Alvarez

Sound Designer – Hugh Sheehan

Lighting Designer – Rajiv Pattani

Costume Supervisor – Beth Qualter Buncall