The 2015 play "People, Places & Things," written by Duncan Macmillan, has made a triumphant return to the Trafalgar Theatre. Denise Gough reprises her role as Emma, the fragmented actress struggling with addiction, in this revival that brings her back to the part that propelled her to stardom. The play, directed by Jeremy Herrin, first premiered at the National Theatre and has now been restaged with its original intensity and impact.
Gough's performance captures the full spectrum of Emma's emotional turbulence, from the chaotic highs of intoxication to the raw lows of withdrawal and vulnerability. The production is visually and auditorily immersive, using pumping techno music and dynamic video projections to portray Emma's tumultuous journey.
The story begins with Emma drunkenly moving through a scene in Chekhov's "The Seagull," transitioning through a hedonistic nightclub to the stark reality of a 12-step addiction clinic. The narrative structure, crafted by Macmillan and Herrin, cleverly dissolves between different states of reality, effectively illustrating Emma's disoriented mental state.
Key supporting roles include Malachi Kirby as a fellow patient who deeply connects with Emma, Sinead Cusack in multiple roles including Emma's therapist and mother, and Danny Kirrane as the empathetic orderly Foster.
Macmillan's script delves into the harsh truths of addiction, eschewing moral platitudes and allowing Emma to voice the complex idea that substance abuse can sometimes feel like a reasonable response to a troubled world. The revival, which includes updated references to current events, brilliantly retains the original play's wit and intensity.
"People, Places & Things" runs at the Trafalgar Theatre until August 10.