The Long Road

"The Long Road" by Shelagh Stephenson (25-28 Apr 2018)

Poster

I feel really lucky to have come across this play - it was recommended to me by one of the cast members, Elizabeth Ollier - and it immediately struck me as a powerful and urgent play. But the thing that persuaded me was how moving it was; it brought tears to my eyes as I read it.

This is without a doubt a hard-hitting play. But it isn’t preaching and it doesn’t offer answers. It’s not even about knife crime per se; that is just the point at which we start off. It simply asks questions, the main one being: how do you make sense of a senseless act? How do you handle the grief of losing someone suddenly and meaninglessly? Whatever road you take is likely to be fraught, even a search for understanding. As one character says

“Understanding will change how you feel. It always does.
That’s the point of understanding, isn’t it?”

And those changes are not even guaranteed to be positive.

As director, I see my role simply as the audience’s representative: to present to the cast and crew how it looks through the eyes of the audience, what works, what doesn’t. And in the case of this play, my role is minimal. The play is so powerful and I’m lucky to have a cast so strong that I mostly just sit there enjoying their performances. I have no doubt that anyone who sees this production will remember it for a very long time. It is hard to leave unaffected by it.

Paul Smith

What They Said

“Super show last night (Friday). Completely absorbing with some very strong performances. Well done to cast and crew for a top notch production!” Guy F

“Not an easy evening's theatre, but a very rewarding one. An extraordinary performance from Elizabeth Ollier, truly inhabiting the role of the bereaved mother as she travels the long road in search of meaning in her son's death. Fleur de Henrie Pearce is also compelling as the killer on an equally challenging journey to understand and accept herself. Excellent support from the rest of the cast, framed by stark and effective set and lighting. Professional standard stuff. And the Q&A afterwards was fascinating and educational too.” Andy R

“Went to see a cracking play last night called "The Long Road" which is all about restorative justice. A very thought provoking play. The production we saw was by St Michaels Players and was very well done. Also had a talk afterwards involving Vi Donovan who's son was murdered in 2001” Martin H

“We really enjoyed last night. A great play and a terrific performance from you (Alastair) and the others. Also a most interesting discussion.”
Gill G

"Wonderful play and superb acting. Thanks for a wonderful evening" Robin E

"You were all amazing - that play was brilliant. We all loved it. Gosh - very moving - I was in tears twice - don't get me started again! I really don't know how you do it. Thank you for inviting us to share a really moving production. Do thank the others too - thought you were all so strong. Not a weak link among you" Cai M

"Really enjoyed @thelongroadstmp last night; my second Shelagh Stephenson play and I'm beginning to be quite the fan. A thought provoking insight into the restorative justice system, brilliantly acted and directed with perfectly simplistic stage directions. Don't want to give this man too much credit, but @paulsuk you nailed it again! 😆Great talk afterwards with justice consultant Sian West, made it more poignant" Lauren P

"We thought the play was absolutely brilliant – a great play and very well acted. One of the best we’ve seen for ages" Linda W

"Went to see it last night, it was brilliant, superb acting from everyone and a very moving story. Well done to everyone involved." Pennie B

“Such a moving, thought provoking single act play, and it doesn’t stop there! 2nd part starred my inspiring auntie Sian West in a Q&A session about restorative justice. Very professionally directed, acted and pieced together as a whole - A must see if you find yourself wondering around Chiswick!“ Georgia B

“Drama dealing with weighty subject matter can sometimes feel like heavy going, but when a production is as superbly acted and paced as this one, it’s far from a slog. ‘The Long Road’ zips through its running time, drawing you into the family’s grief - with each of Elizabeth, Alastair and Louis approaching that differently, resulting in an ensemble full of contrasting emotions - and then pulling you forwards through the undulating currents of anger and confusion. Fleur gives the character of Emma such pathos as well as humour, and the scenes in which she frustrates but then facilitates progress for Leonia’s patient Elizabeth are particularly entertaining. Well done to all involved for this powerful and informative production, delivered with the necessary gravitas but also genuine heart and hopefulness.” Jon H

“If 5 stars is the rating I will give it 6. What can I say that's not been said? ... I was spellbound from beginning to end. ... parts played by everyone were amazingly done .. Paul , Jane with the directorship Bryony in a producers role in fact many others involved in this however big or small ..very well done to all of you. So glad I came to tonight's show but now it's time for bed ..with the play still going round in my head” Rose P

"The Long Road was one of the best Pro-Am shows I've seen. Taking on the subject matter was never going to be without risk but thanks to the excellent performances and the way you framed and "shot" the the production made it excellent - don't change a thing.

It was very evident the cast all put a huge amount of themselves into their roles. Anything less wouldn't have worked. A lot of actors would shy away from that (I know one myself!). And that's what made it such a compelling, tough but rewarding 90 minutes.Huge respect and thanks to all.

As for the Q&A - this really added something relevant and made it feel an important night out. I love a robust debate with different but understandable views. It's what makes us human.

Have a great Run - sure you will. You deserve it" Harry D

5 stars - "A superbly acted, moving and thought provoking play. From the very start the actors captivated the audience with their portrayal of the fallout of a tragic event that is sadly seemingly on the increase again. The Q&A afterwards with Director Paul Smith and Sandra Barefoot from The Forgiveness Project was an additional bonus - both educational and inspiring to hear about the projects work." Louise M

5 stars - "Amazing evening last night watching the St Michael's Players. The Long Road centres around the aftermath of a fatal stabbing, drawing together the stories of both the victim's family and the young perpetrator of the crime. Shocking, powerful and beautifully acted." Catherine N

5 stars - "Superb performances from everyone. Very realistic and well written. What a pleasure to watch. Thank you" Paul R

"What an amazing play. I was so moved that I cried throughout most of it! Good luck with the run, I hope you get full houses every night, as it's a brilliant production of an extraordinary play about a very important subject" Helen S

"Just had to write and say what an excellent evening and play last night. Emotional and thought-provoking. Many congratulations and to everyone involved. I hope the rest of the week’s performances are as successful as last night." Caron B

"That was the best play I've seen that you guys have put on (in my humble opinion)! Wonderful. So glad we didn’t miss it. Enjoy the rest of the run. Also well done to Paul and the rest of the crew." Jane H

"Really enjoyed the play and you were all great. Very powerful and persuasive." Bernie T

“Wow, wow, wow. A must-see. Powerful stuff!” Jo H

"I came to see The Long Road on Saturday night and would like to send a big thank you to the St Michael's Players team for making the choice to present this particular piece. The subject matter is so important and the decision to extend the evening with a Q & A session every night was a stroke of genius, allowing for the broader discussion of the issues raised that comes with doing this in a group. I felt very privileged to hear Vi Donovan's story.
Thank you for espousing serious issues through drama as well as entertaining ones. The cast for all productions ever delight but for The Long Road they excelled." Fran J

Programme

1804_long_road_programme.pdf
File Size:	5055 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Pictures

Cast

Danny (Alex Dewar)
Joe (Louis Bricusse)
Mary (Elizabeth Ollier)
John (Alastair Dewar)
Emma (Fleur de Henrie Pearce)
Elizabeth (Leonia Chesterfield)

Crew

Director (Paul Smith)
Assistant Director (Jane Atkinson)
Producer (Bryony Wilman)
Lighting Design (Marc Pearce)
Lighting & Sound Operator (Utku Er)
Publicity (Jon Holmes)
Publicity and Social Media (Fleur de Henrie Pearce)
Stage Management (Jane Atkinson & Bryony Wilman)
Backstage Assistance (Chris Pease)
Poster and Programme Design (Fleur de Henrie Pearce)
Front of House and Bar (Members & Friends of St Michael’s Players)