All That Fall

All That Fall was written by Samuel Beckett as a radio play. The director, Melanie Beddie, has neatly woven together Beckett’s words, excellent ensemble acting, the physical presence of artisan ‘foley’ sound effects, and a few simple props to stay true to its origin.

Beckett uses the miserable journey of old Mrs Maddy Rooney (Carole Patullo) and her interactions with the people she meets as she goes to collect her blind husband Dan (Tom Considine) off a train and her return journey home with him, to lay bare the forced intimacies of small-town living and each person’s attempt to maintain their lives in the face of life’s pain filled challenges.

Mrs Rooney’s musings and antics create a balance between her evident sorrows and laugh out loud humour. Carole Patullo capably gives convincing expression to Mrs Rooney’s intimate pain, anxieties and desires.

The Rooney’s journey home opens up the connections and spaces felt in their marriage. Their manic laughter in response to the Biblical text, “The Lord upholdeth all those that fall and will rise up all who are bowed down” sums up their experience of life and their response.

The rest of the ensemble, Jane Bayly, Dan O’Halloran and Tom Considine, effectively present the other characters and also create the sound effects. The sound design, by Jane Bayly, integrates with minimal props to create a satisfying sense of both being present at a radio play and being in the Irish countryside. The lighting design by Bronwyn Pringle effectively supports the actors.  

For Beckett beginners, this is a wonderful introduction, and for locked-on lovers of his works a very satisfying expression of this play.

Ruth Richter

Images by Melissa Viola.