I was back at the Bush Theatre this week to see their latest show, ‘Maggots.’ Written by Farah Najib, this three hander recounts the story of the residents of Laurel House, and their discovery of Shirley, whose rotting body went undiscovered for a year, breeding a foul stench and a host of maggots. Actors Marcia Lecky, Sam Baker Jones and Safiyya Ingar, rise to the task of uniquely bring to life the multiple residents of Laurel House. The play is witty, tragic and hopeful, and paints a vivid portrait of a group of people who are unsure what to do in these mysterious circumstances, all against the backdrop of a failing system.
The set does well to communicate one of the core themes of the piece – decay. Caitlin Mawhinney hangs dried, dead flowers from the ceiling of the studio which seem to represent the ever presence of decay and death for the audience, just as the smell does for the inhabitants of Laurel House. Peter Small’s lighting is also effectively used to communicate shifts in space and tone, a notable moment being the casts’ description of the housing associations WhatsApp group chat. The lighting also mirrors the increasing tension in the run up to the discovery of Shirley’s body towards the end of the play. Although this revelation is not a massive surprise, early on in the play several residents wonder if Shirley might have died, the journey there is an enjoyable one.
Despite the heavy themes, there is plenty of room for levity, with Ingar in particular drawing laughs with her witty one liners. The cast exhibit an impressive range, fully inhabiting each resident and giving them a distinct voice, the foundations being laid deftly by Najib’s writing. We do not quite get the traditional happy ending for the residents that we would want, but Najib offers a truthful one. Things do change for the better, but are not perfect, something that acutely reflects real life. Examining this microcosm of a fairly unordinary area of London provides the perfect space for talking about wider issues of housing, neglect and human connectedness. This show does feel unique, and markedly different to other shows that I have reviewed.
Although the closing revelations are not quite the shocking punch that you might have wished for, the talented cast, wit and thought-provoking themes definitely leave a better impression than the unpleasant smell that haunts Laurel House’s residents.
4/5
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‘Maggots’ is playing at the Bush Theatre until the 28th of December!
Tickets here: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/maggots/#book
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