“If you knew my story, your heart would break too”
Havisham is Heather Alexander’s powerful one-woman show exploring the back story of the reclusive spinster in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. Raised by a drunk and distant father after her mother died when she was very young, she longed to be accepted, writes Linda Emmanuel.
The play explores issues of childhood neglect at home with a father who sired her half-brother with the housekeeper, her experiences at church that left her scared out of her wits, and school, where she shared what she thought was a drawing of a beautiful angel with her teacher who told her that it was not a beautiful drawing but a picture of Medusa – a woman with questionable morals.
It was at times of trauma that her childhood imagination kept her safe from harm, her ability to disembody was represented by Alexander climbing a platform upon which to stand and observe as she experienced the pain.
The set is dressed, with bridal gowns and white veils spread like angels’ wings and a clock forever set at 20 to 9.
The language of the script gives Alexander great pleasure as she shares the lyricism of the writing with her audience, and this is evident as she moves fluidly, both vocally and physically, from a child aged four years old frightened by the sermons at church, which made her want to be as small as possible, to a nine-year-old who asks “Why do grown adults lie?” We are led through puberty and on to young womanhood in a seamless, hypnotic style. A pleasure to behold.
The themes of authority of the church, school and home are scrutinised and confirm a testament to the stubbornness of the patriarchal systems that still exist today playing havoc with the mental health of its citizens. Miss Havisham is one such affected member, a woman at the mercy of a system that sees women as sport to be taken advantage of if the opportunity presents itself. So, when Dickens describes her, unkindly, as “the witch of the place” this production asks that we question what lies behind the masks and façades used as we navigate the world we live in – Miss Havisham did not become a recluse in a vacuum. And when we judge, how often do we ask ourselves, who is it that sets the parameters?
Havisham, written and performed by Heather Alexander, directed by Dominique Gerrard, produced by Emul8 Theatre Company, is the story that Dickens left out and shows empathy towards Miss Havisham by delving into her psyche, yet it also explores how unhealed trauma is handed down without thinking and we are asked if that is ok. This is a piece of theatre that encourages a deeper understanding of ourselves as people and compassion in the face of challenges.
We heard Miss Havisham’s story and our hearts broke.
Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 2DH until 15th March. Tickets: £17, £15 conc., 14+.
Box office: www.brockleyjack.co.uk or 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 fee for phone bookings only)
