From the first moment of walking into the theatre, Backbone Theatre Collective’s Spine is undeniably compelling. This one-woman play by Clara Brennan, originating from the Edinburgh Fringe and London’s Soho Theatre, is an intimate and intriguing look at a young woman’s journey from being kicked to the bottom of society, to finding her voice and rising up.
The remarkably brilliant Kate Besworth plays both Amy, a teenager from a rough upbringing; and Glenda, a mysterious elderly widow. When Amy is forced out of her family’s home, she meets Glenda, who has placed an ad to rent out a room in her home. The two females form an interesting friendship – and throughout the play it becomes clear that Glenda’s agenda is to save Amy. Glenda sees Amy’s intelligence and warm soul, and knows the girl has much more potential that she realizes.
Books are an important focus in this play. The set – which the audience must walk through in order to get to their seats – is full of books of different genres and eras. Playwright Brennan makes a beautiful statement about how access to great literature can coincide with access to a decent social standing. And how libraries are the gateways to accessing literature, with the government serving as the gatekeepers.
Besworth is extraordinary, constantly switching back and forth between Amy and Glenda, making each character frighteningly believable. I felt very uncomfortable throughout the first half of the play as Besworth revealed Amy’s journey leading up to meeting Glenda. And indeed, the play is meant to make the viewer uncomfortable, as the subject matter is purposefully disturbing. Besworth was so convincing as Amy that I was not only disturbed, but also quite fascinated.
I was appalled by the awful obstacles Amy had to deal and the unfairness of it all. And I was fascinated because I wanted to see where this story was going. Thankfully, the collaboration between Besworth and director Wendy Bollard works magically in bringing Brennan’s compelling piece of theatre to life.
When I left the theatre, I had a much different feeling than when I walked through the set the first time. I was more intrigued by the piles of books onstage. I was interested in the emotions and the lives of the people whom the stories immortalized. And it was beautiful to have seen what an impact these books had on Amy.
Backbone Theatre Collective’s Spine is a captivating work of theatre, and I’m very glad I had the opportunity to experience this daring and memorable piece of storytelling.
Spine, presented by Backbone Theatre Collective, written by Clara Brennan, directed by Wendy Bollard, and starring Kate Besworth played at the Havana Theatre from January 29 - February 8, 2020. For information on future productions, visit Backbone Theatre Collective’s website.