Mark O’Rowe’s play Reunion, about an Irish family get-together, premiered at Galway International Arts Festival in 2024.
It is now making its UK premiere at London’s Kiln Theatre, starring an all-Irish cast.
It’s an all-too-familiar story that many will relate to. When extended families meet for weddings, funerals or milestone birthdays, personalities can clash and past memories and friction can rear its ugly head. If that doesn’t sound like your family then you are one of the lucky ones!
Throw in an unwanted visitor stopping by, accusations of marital affairs, casual sex and dying relatives and you get Reunion. Over 24 hours, scores are settled, beliefs challenged, and truths disclosed, ultimately jeopardising their very future together.
Reunion stars a roll-call of Ireland’s finest actors: Ian-Lloyd Anderson, Venetia Bowe, Stephen Brennan, Leonard Buckley, Simone Collins, Peter Corboy, Kate Gilmore, Stephen Hagan, Aislín McGuckin and Catherine Walker.
So many different relationships are explored in this one-act drama that it is hard to pick out which to mention. But it is the characters Felix and Gina that really stir up emotions. Gina’s (Catherine Walker) husband has recently left her, wanting to sow his seed elsewhere in what is probably a mid-life crisis. Felix (Stephen Brennan), the quiet and uncomfortable father of girlfriend Holly, who has tagged along for the weekend has been single for fifteen years since his wife left him. Having not been with anyone since then, Gina sees an opportunity for a rebound shag, ultimately leading on poor old Felix.
And that’s about all you need to know. Reunion is a lovely piece of theatre. It doesn’t have a big twist or anything and it isn’t a story that will leave you yearning for more but it is very well acted and put together and makes for a lovely evening out.
★★★★
West End Wilma
Reunion is playing at the Kiln Theatre until 11 October 2025
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