REVIEW: GHOSTS ON A WIRE by Linda Wilkinson at Union Theatre until 8 October 2022

‘electrifying performances...crackles with energy’ ★★★★

 For anyone who’s admired London’s night lights, soaked up the neon in Soho or marvelled at the twinkling tapestry on the Thames, it’s hard to imagine a dark, pre-electrified London. But Ghosts on a Wire, the enthralling new play by Linda Wilkinson, transports audiences to a turning point in London’s history, just before the city became illuminated. This newly harnessed source of power and light that would help revolutionise the metropolis was both a subject of optimism and fear. It saw industrialists clash with social reformers, artists and scientists pit heads while unions were formed, and mediums summoned the supernatural for clues to an uncertain future.

In this thoroughly researched, evocative period piece, the dramatic action is centred around the development of the Pioneer, the world’s largest coal powered electric plant, to be built on the banks of the Thames in Blackfriars, Southwark in the 1890s. Constructed on the South of the river to power the homes of the affluent North, this radical initiative promised to make some individuals very wealthy but decimate working-class communities. Does this sound vaguely familiar? In this enthralling piece of non-linear telling, Wilkinson creates a narrative circuit board of history where ghosts of the far past engage with ghosts of the nearer past in a discourse that remains wholly relevant.

The march of capitalism and gentrification, the ousting of working communities, deepening of social divisions, avarice and corruption remain pertinent today as they were over a century ago. The braying industrialist, Dr. Lyon Playfair, part owner of the CC Electrical Company is played by Andrew Fettes. When he promises a bright London, full of galleries and restaurants, it could be the voice of any estate agent in the latest up-and-coming area. Central to the action is Octavia Hill performed by Gerri Farrell with dignified understatement. Hill fought for working Londoners her entire life and part funded the National Trust. Her mission was to bring beauty and clean air to the poor and her legacy remains in London’s green spaces and social housing that remain safe from developers.

As key historical figures take up their positions, the stage sometimes doubles as a philosophical debating room. Tom Neill plays Michael Faraday, the scientist who developed ideas of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. Timothy Harker is the local poet and visionary, William Blake.  Ali Kemp is Hester Thrale, patron of the arts, and Deborah Klayman plays Mary Shelley who powered her own monstrous creation, Frankenstein with a mysterious spark. 

Seamlessly directed by PK Taylor with strong performances across the board, the characterful costumes, striking back light projections and whirring, humming sound design are orchestrated to skilfully reanimate this moment in history. A memorable piece of work, there’s something special about seeing this play brought to life in the heart of the borough at the Union Theatre. Good on Southwark Council for helping fund this excellent production that is Illuminating in so many senses of the word.

GHOSTS ON A WIRE by Linda Wilkinson

Union Theatre Sept 21 – October 8, 2022

Box Office http://uniontheatre.biz/show/ghosts-on-a-wire/

Cast:

Gerri Farrell as Octavia Hill

Andrew Fettes as William Shelfer

Timothy Harker as William Blake

Ali Kemp as Sarah Shelfer

Deborah Klayman as Harriot Yorke

Tom Neill as Michael Faraday

Creative team:

Writer and Producer Linda Wilkinson

Director PK Taylor

Sound Designer and Composer Jack Baxter

Photographer and Graphic Design Martin Butterworth

Artist Adrian Chappell

Projection Design (Stagefright Films) Chris Lince

Costumes Penn O’Gara

Reviewer: Nilgin Yusuf recently graduated from a four-year Creative Writing degree at Birkbeck, where she discovered a dormant appreciation for theatre, scriptwriting and stagecraft. An experienced author, lecturer and journalist (ex-Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph and ELLE) Nilgin is developing her first full-length stage play, supported by Mrs.C’s Collective and the Arts Council.