Desire Lines

By Ian Rowlands

Sherman Cymru

Directed by Irina Brown

Venue: Chapter Arts

Dates: April 8-23, then touring until May 18

Reviewed by Chelsey Gillard

“Our country. As beautiful as it ever was, as Heaven ever will be.” For many, life in Wales is one of beauty, enhanced by rich heritage but there is always that reminder that we are a “Small Country”. Many Welsh youngsters feel the need to move to “Big Country”, to prove themselves, but something always brings them back.

Desire Lines follows “Man”, fantastically played by Ifan Huw Dafydd, on a circular trip around “Small Country”, during which we explore his home land and some of the personalities that inhabit it.

Intertwined, each person’s story comes out through tumbling monologues and surreal dialogue. The multilayered approach, although sometimes making it hard to understand what was being said, gave a musical feel to the script, enhanced with beautiful singing from Older Woman. Sometimes the actor would be someone from Man’s past, then transform into a person with troubles of their own. A few life tales were fleshy and real, others were mere glimpses of the chaos in each person’s head.

As we follow Man we see the various stages of his life; carefree boy, flirtatious youth, scared father and regretful adult; hitting the many milestones we all hope or fear to reach. It is impossible not to relate to Man as he describes the fear of turning out like his father – old, alone and unable to take care of himself. Although this is arguably the main thread of the story; Man is now alone; the whole script is a tightly woven poem that relates to any man, or indeed woman.

Not only do we follow one person’s journey we follow the development of a country; a proud land with its own language and culture. Rowlands obviously has a great passion for his nation but does not see it through rose tinted glasses. He cheekily names Bridgend “Dullage” – “an excruciatingly dull place- to be avoided” and Rhyl “Chavton” as it has two of the poorest council wards in Wales. The “Small Country” of Desire Lines is flawed but trying to move towards a better future. Political undertones make the script relevant to today’s Wales, the Welsh people have more power than ever to make the decisions that affect their lives.

 My main criticism would be that some of the characters are over the top stereotypes, especially the gay young man played by Joshua McCord. Having said this, that particular character was probably the best received by the audience. As he sat gabbing away loudly on his phone Man did what every person in the audience has wanted to do at some point, he grabbed the phone and shouted “we’re all listening to this shit; your lives invading ours with your asinine rhetoric!” and throws the phone off the train!

Disarmingly witty, well observed and heart-warming, Desire Lines definitely pulled on the heartstrings. When Man is given a spectral visit from his dead wife he gets the chance to say the things he should have said years ago. Perhaps this is a reminder that life is all too short and we should make the most of every moment, especially the journeys.