Welcome to Pemfort Review: A Shattering Study of Living History and the Past You Cannot Shake Off
At Soho Theatre in London, Sarah Power's impressive new play Welcome to Pemfort delivers a shattering exploration of how we narrate history to ourselves and what occurs when the past refuses to be left behind. The production, running until 18 April, uses the setting of a sleepy castle gift shop to grapple with profound questions about memory, trauma, and storytelling.
A Carefully Curated World of Plastic Goblets and Dragon Slippers
Designer Alys Whitehead creates a meticulously curated set filled with wooden swords and jars of jam, where hundreds of years of history are smoothed down into commercial items like plastic goblets and dragon slippers. Within this environment, the team at Pemfort Castle gift shop attempts to present a living history event, optimistically planning a medical leeching demonstration on their ideas board.
The accuracy-oriented Glenn, portrayed with serious pernicketiness by Ali Hadji-Heshmati, is desperate for the event's success. He clashes with the scatty Uma, played by Debra Gillett who oozes warmth, as she suggests lumping together the castle's dark stories out of time and context. Meanwhile, Ria, brought to life by a buoyant Lydia Larson, remains half-distracted by her efforts to befriend local deer.
Tenderness Torn Away by a Disturbing Revelation
Tenderness coats the play like wrapping paper, which Power bides her time to tear away. The audience is lulled into the idle chatter of this beautiful bunch of oddballs until the arrival of former offender Kurtis, played by a tremendous and crumpled Sean Delaney, throws the team into disarray. With an open heart and gentle manner, Delaney's performance makes you feel him thinking everything through before speaking—wanting to please Glenn, make Uma proud, and above all, elicit laughter from Ria.
However, when Kurtis reveals his violent past, everything shifts dramatically. It is as though he is joined on stage by his former self, leaving everyone uncertain which version to address. Power refuses to provide easy answers about how to feel toward Kurtis or what his future might hold. Delaney delivers a haunting performance of a man splintering from shame, capturing the internal conflict with raw intensity.
Silences and Consequences in a Powerful Production
Director Ed Madden expertly lets the script's silences sit, laying out the revelations and their consequences while allowing the audience time to form their own judgments. Amidst this emotional turmoil, the characters must still rehearse for a re-enactment, highlighting the unsettling notion that after several hundred years, an act of terrible violence can transition from tragedy to entertainment.
Welcome to Pemfort is a thought-provoking piece that challenges perceptions of history and personal redemption. The ensemble cast, including standout performances from Hadji-Heshmati, Gillett, Larson, and Delaney, brings Power's nuanced script to life with depth and sensitivity. This production at Soho Theatre is a must-see for theatre enthusiasts interested in compelling narratives about the past's enduring impact.
