Review – A Gaggle of Saints

Neil LaBute’s A Gaggle of Saints, a two person, one act play, is a 35 minute dynamo of a production, which takes the intimately seated audience upon an exciting and ultimately gut-wrenching ride into the darkness of the human soul.

The play is a part of a larger work, the one act triptych Bash. The performance space, a dimly-lit archway within the Holden Street Theatre, allows the viewer to enter into the world of a Mormon couple, whose duelling monologues recounting a weekend sojourn to New York form the basis of the play. Under such close observation, the duo of Chelsea Evans and Eddie Morrison deliver remarkable performances, clearly exhibiting every emotional nuance and change of beat. Not a second is wasted, and director Lisa Waite and assistant director Hannah Bennett should be praised for their innovative and breathtaking use of the confined space available. The use of shadows and light was also effective, perhaps serving as a metaphor for the hidden depths of human depravity, and Evans and Morrison deliver impressive American accents – both live and via voice over.

All the elements of the production lead to crushing conclusion which isn’t for the faint of heart. LaBute’s material is confronting, although it appeared that the references to Mormonism which existed in his original version were mostly removed. Strong adult themes do remain, however. If you enjoy powerful theater which leaves you reeling for days afterwards, check out A Gaggle of Saints.