David Pearson’s debut play, Firewing, comes to Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in an exploration of connection, perception and materialism.
The title refers to a rare and elusive bird, snapped by Tim (a cynical Gerard Horan) years ago. He’s now a lauded, award-winning wildlife photographer, but remains obsessed with capturing this image one more time.
The action takes place in Tim’s chaotic Hide, a wooden structure overlooking a lake. Into this well-lived space (designed by Good Teeth studio) comes Marcus (an earnest Charlie Beck), a 22-year-old keen (perhaps over-keen) to learn the trade.
Of course, this is not the full story. Both men, generations apart, are from the same working-class town on the coast. Both live in the long shadow of their fathers’ actions.
If you expect Firewing to be about photography, you may be disappointed. Yes, it is discussed – with a selection of slides awkwardly projected on a side wall, rendering them invisible to a third of the head-on audience.
What really matters in Pearson’s play is truth, openness, and trust. Tim and Marcus form a connection over a camera and the capturing of a moment, a bird in flight.
Firewing runs 85 minutes straight through and tries to cover a lot in that time. A difficult family background common to both is lightly touched on. A planned crime leads to an unexpected revelation and an act of uncharacteristic charity.
A flashback in the latter part of the play showing Tim and his father, years ago in the same Hide, just as dilapidated, isolated, and protective – but the scene feels slightly awkward and out of place.
Hampstead associate director Alice Hamilton, with lighting by Jamie Platt and sound by Harry Blake, creates a space that feels homely and inspiring. Clearly, Tim has spent a lifetime here, crafting stories with his camera. What the play does need is a tighter pace – two changeovers take too long – and a stronger focus.
Firewing doesn’t quite live up to its themes, and by the end has fallen into cliché, but Pearson – a graduate of the INSPIRE programme – has an intriguing voice which marks him as one to watch.
I’m giving this 2.5 stars. The performances are strong, and the potential is there, but it doesn’t yet have the conviction to fully explore the emotional complexities within the plot.
Firewing continues at Hampstead Downstairs until 23 May – details here.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith