Jonny Donahoe's latest play, Contact, delivers a heated family reunion that will leave audiences breathless. This two-hander, currently running at [Theatre Name], explores the psychological upheaval of a first baby and the deep-seated resentments that bubble to the surface when a son confronts his mother after eight months of silence.
A Bonfire of Family Photos Sets the Stage
The play opens in a back garden where Mother (Blythe Duff) is burning family photographs on a bonfire. The arrival of her son, known only as Son (Mark Barrett), is met with spiky indifference. He has come to tell her that his wife Alice is expecting a Christmas baby and to try to end the resentment that has festered since he was six. But Mother is having none of it. The bonfire becomes a powerful metaphor for the destruction of memories and the impossibility of escaping the past.
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Jonny Donahoe's Knotty, Bitter Script Shines
Donahoe, known for his work with the comedy duo Jonny & the Baptists, proves his dramatic chops with a script that is both waspishly funny and deeply unsettling. The dialogue crackles with hard-bitten wit, and Duff delivers it with a sparkle that makes her character simultaneously hilarious and terrifying. Barrett counters with a low-status calm, avoiding confrontation, but the tension is palpable.
Psychological Depth and Generational Shifts
The play deftly explores how children become parents and parents become grandparents, and how responsibility and accountability move down a generation. But in this family, the shift has been poisoned by abuse and neglect. The shadow of Son's abusive father looms large, but Mother's own sociopathic tendencies are just as damaging. "Not everything you feel has to be expressed," she scolds her son, a line that chillingly reveals her lack of empathy.
Performance Highlights
Blythe Duff's performance is a masterclass in controlled venom. She captures the sparkle of Donahoe's wit while hinting at the brutalised past that has made her incapable of empathy. Mark Barrett's Son is a study in suppressed desperation, his calm exterior barely masking a lifetime of pain. Together, they create a dynamic that is both riveting and repulsive.
Why Contact Is a Must-See
- Intense, psychologically rich two-hander with stellar performances.
- Sharp, witty dialogue that cuts to the bone.
- A profound exploration of family, memory, and accountability.
- Unique staging with a literal bonfire of photos.
Contact vs. Other Family Dramas
| Aspect | Contact | Typical Family Drama |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Two-hander, real-time | Multiple characters, time jumps |
| Tone | Bitter, darkly comic | Sentimental, melodramatic |
| Theme | Generational trauma, empathy | Forgiveness, reconciliation |
| Ending | Ambiguous, unsettling | Often uplifting |
FAQ
What is Contact about?
Contact is a two-hander play by Jonny Donahoe that explores a tense reunion between a son and his mother as she burns family photos on a bonfire. It delves into family resentment, psychological trauma, and the arrival of a first baby.
Who stars in Contact?
The play features Blythe Duff as Mother and Mark Barrett as Son.
Where is Contact playing?
Contact is currently running at [Theatre Name, City]. Check the theatre's website for dates and tickets.
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