Frozen - Library Theatre - 08/04/08 by Kashif Naveed

When Bryony Lavery’s Frozen was first performed in 2004 it was met with quite a bit of controversy as well plenty of plaudits. Frozen, which began its run at Manchester’s Library Theatre, does not typically fit into the run of the mill productions that are likely to crop up at a majority of theatres. It is contemporary theatre that seeks to challenge the audience into addressing issues and questions that they would not normally be faced with – and that makes for riveting viewing.

Lavery’s dark subject matter deals with the ramification of one of the most heinous of crimes that can be committed in society. The plot is set in England, circa 1980’s onwards, and involves three main characters. We first meet an American psychiatrist, Agnetha, about to leave the Stateside shores for dear old blighty. Then we come face to face with Brummie housewife, Nancy, before we finally set eyes upon the disturbing Ralph.

All three begin their interaction with audience in monologues and as the play wears on each of the characters and their lives become irrevocably intertwined – brought together by a chilling depraved act and the consequences that it yields.

As an audience the act becomes apparent very quickly as it deals with the disappearance and the eventual realisation of the murder of Nancy’s daughter, Rhona. Lavery’s tale is not about that act but an attempt perhaps to understand the fallout from it and so we are chillingly introduced to the murderer (Ralph) in the early throes of the play.

Given the dark subject matter the portrayal of the three principal characters is by no means an easy feat, but one that the cast members truly excel at. Indeed, if their performances were anything below par then the production would suffer as a result. Leading the way is Joanna Bacon as the distraught mother Nancy. It is a complex performance, one that requires her to inject humour as well as the harrowing aspect of the evil crimes that unfold.

Bacon captivates the audience with her performance having us in tears of laughter one moment and tears of sorrow the next. She is equally aided by John Killoran in his disturbing portrayal of Ralph, who we learn is not only responsible for the abduction and murder of Rhona but also of six other girls. We are shown a glimpse of not only of his world but also his mind, as he takes us into the journey of a serial killer. Mia Soteriou also excels and deserves much credit for her performance of the American psychiatrist, Agnetha, especially given that it is easy to get left unnoticed in between the two principal characters of this play.

As the production progresses and so does the ultimate themes of Lavery’s play, in which we are asked if forgiveness can play any part in dealing with such crimes. Whilst the performances are excellent the play loses a little of its shocking impact as the first act nears its end. This maybe as much down to the playwright as Roger Haines’ direction, which otherwise is excellently paced.

This may not be everyone’s cup of tea but sometimes theatre is more than just mindless escapism where we cab comfortably sit in our seats gorging on wondrous feats. Sometimes it is thought provoking that makes us squirm where we sit as we watch the horrors of society performed in front of us - and Frozen very much sits in this category.