Unsettling and Hopeful, Gamm's 'Girls & Boys' an Unforgettable Journey

Opening the New Year with another New England premiere, The Gamm Theatre takes audiences back to the format of the one-act, one-actor show with "Girls & Boys," a riveting tale that centers on a family's journey into uncharted territories.

Playwright Dennis Kelly (who also wrote the book for "Matilda the Musical" and screenplay for the 2014 film "Black Sea") takes a fascinating look at a modern nuclear English family. Told in one act by an unnamed woman (Donnla Hughes, "Ironbound" and "Twelfth Night" at this theatre) the show recounts how she met her future husband while queuing for a plane trip and, eventually, details her plans for a career in filmmaking. Props and stage dressing are kept at a bare minimum: The woman is shares a bare stage with a single chair.

This is not a tale of successes but rather of problems, relating to and uncovering society's expectations of males – most notably, their ability to provide for a family. This is a bleak, yet powerful, look at two parents dealing with very different things: A woman whose career is blossoming, and a man whose career has crumbled. The man, unfortunately, has given in to despair and depression. Kelly's script starts with some humorous points and offers some laughs in the first half, but then takes a different turn.

The show premiered in the UK at the Royal Court Theatre in 2018 with actress Carey Mulligan, and eventually arrived on American shores in the off Broadway Minetta Lane Theatre later that same year. Kelly himself has described the play as "really disturbing," but he also explores what makes society uncomfortable about the subject of family violence.

Hughes, who originally hails from Ireland, gives a powerhouse performance as the unnamed woman relating her heart-wrenching tale. Her friendly, open face draws the audience into the tale of her family. Director Rachel Walshe, who has been directing at this theatre for thirteen seasons, knew how to pick her actor for this particular role, and the results are riveting.

"Girls & Boys" is a fascinating and gut-wrenching production that throws us into the deep end of a subject not often discussed in life or theatre. It will move you, it will shock you, but it also may give you hope, and that is a testament to a play well produced and performed.

"Girls & Boys" continues through January 19th at The Gamm Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02886. For information or tickets call 401-723-4266 or visit www.gammtheatre.org.