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★★★★
Letter writing is the theme of Samantha Streit’s new play Letters to Joan which is directed by Jessica Whiley and currently based at The Pleasance as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Inspired by the real-life letters that Streit’s grandparents exchanged when they first met in the 1950s, this deeply personal play sees the writer and performer explore the connections between her relatives’ paths and her own personal journey. Beautifully performed by Streit and Kevin Cahill, this play tugs at the heartstrings and has the power to make audiences think twice about their own loved one’s stories and remind spectators of how letter writing was a truly wonderful form of communication.
Background
Without giving away any spoilers, this play takes place in an American diner, with Streit playing herself and Kevin Cahill taking on the role of her grandfather Lenny. They reminisce over breakfast and hot chocolates, with Sam asking her grandfather some difficult questions that take him back to the early days with her grandmother Joan. The narrative moves between the present day and a 1956 Brooklyn summer, where letters are brought to life and Streit switches to playing her Grandmother. In the present day, the principal character is the same age as her grandmother, leading to some powerful conversations about ambition, love and dreams.
Outside of the diner sequences and letter reading, there are other significant scenes that fit between the two core time periods and have a vast impact on Lenny and Joan’s marriage. It is sometimes difficult to picture where these fit within the overall timeline of the play as there is far less context leading into these, but the impact on the comprehension of the narrative is minimal.
Nostalgic visual design
The company have created a warm and inviting space, where letters and old photographs hang from the ceiling and atmospheric lighting effects facilitate the narrative’s pivots between the present day and the 1950s. There is a calmness to the visual design that creates a safe space for big conversations and questions, shifting the overall focus of the piece to the dialogue which is incredibly important in a play that is so focused on words and writing. Memorable era-appropriate music helps set the scene for the sharing of the letters and so much care and attention has been given to the overall ambiance, amplifying the tone of the narrative but never overpowering the sensitivity of topics discussed.
Brilliantly acted and deeply sentimental
Letters to Joan is a delicate and thoughtful piece of theatre that highlights the importance of taking the time to get to know your relatives on a deeper level. Discovering the letters a few years ago was clearly a transformative experience for Streit. You can catch Letters to Joan at Bunker Three at Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33) until 31st August. Performances start daily at 11:35, with tickets available via the festival’s website.
*My ticket for Letters to Joan was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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