Review: Suicide, and Other Acts of Selfishness

The view from a bridge catches people in different ways. For some, it is a salve for that which has come before. For others, it offers the promise of a way out. For all, it is a displacement activity: some place other than here, now. Kieran Lee-Hamilton’s play explores both strands from near opposite ends of the age spectrum. Young Man (Eli McFarland) stands on a literal precipice steeling himself to breathe his last. He is interrupted before he has the chance to do so by Old Man (Lindsay Anderson). There is inconvenience in having to wait for someone to jump in order that you can take your place before the same intoxicating view. What is the etiquette between two unconnected people at the same suicide spot? The mere presence of another is enough to disrupt the flow of thought. And these, after all, are serious thoughts. None more so.

Suicide, And Other Acts of Selfishness is an excellent study on the importance of human interaction. How isolation can distort our personal view of the world, magnifying all that is bad at the expense of all that is good to throw up a dystopian vision. One cough, one ‘excuse me’ is enough to change the course of events. As this unpredictable story unfolds, contrasting views emerge.

There are gleaming shards of light leavening this dark drama directed by Frodo Allan. McFarland and Anderson command both stage and time beautifully in their portrayal of two lonely misunderstood souls.

Suicide And Other Acts of Selfishness ran 17th-19th July at Theatre 118, Glasgow.