Heroin(e) for Breakfast

Three characters, the cocky and patriotic Tommy, his girlfriend the school pupil Edie and their flatmate Chloe all sit patiently; eagerly awaiting their delivery of heroin to arrive, in a scene that you could be forgiven for thinking was ripped straight from the pages of ‘Requiem for a Dream’. But soon as the audience are ready to dismiss this as yet another allegory on why drugs are bad, an inventive plot strand is introduced that is as mind blowing and totally unique. For when the heroin arrives the drug is portrayed not as an inanimate object but as an Marilyn Monroe-a-like screen heroine. Dressed head to toe in iconic white ruffles and diamonds she playfully flirts and seduces each character, allowing a head spinning way of discussing the personal hell of addiction out into the crowd in a theatrical style that manages to be both darkly funny and tragic.
This idea is fantastic and is far more than a one off gimmick as Monroe seductively dances and teases each character playing out familiar film noir motifs about how she is the best thing they have ever had and how she is so good they will always want her, lines that are fascinating as when you understand the metaphors hidden inside are devastating as one by one she gently bites them on their arms in the spot where they would be injecting.
This is a dark, intelligent play that brilliantly and intelligently explores the ensembles motivations, at times breaking the fourth wall by talking to the audience and used to maximum effect as each character yet again becomes seduced by the charming, vacuous and cruel heroin and in the final moments when the cast are gently led back into the embrace of heroin they plead for help to the crowds in a devastating scene that will haunt you long after.

4/5

Martin Miller