The British have a wonderful way of downplaying anguish because of our innate mastery of irony and understatement; in ‘Brotherly Love’, this quality is epitomised by the relationship between the two main characters. Brothers Barry and Ian are estranged by class, one having joined the middle-classes while the other revels in his working-class background. In many respects the plot is predictable, but the way in which family secrets and betrayals emerge does not appear forced due to unfussy performances. Meanwhile, the dialogue is almost too naturalistic and fails to create much drama from the situation, and the acting, though adequate, lacks star quality. Yet moments of dry humour exemplify the true-to-life Britishness of the play, and this makes it worth seeing.
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 4 – 28 Aug (not 17), 5.00pm (6.00pm), free, fpp249.
tw rating 3/5
[rs]
Sections: by Rosalind Scott - ED2011 Theatre Reviews - tw rating 3/5 | Tags: Laughing Horse Free Festival
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