Review: My Name is Lucy Barton – A Powerful Performance at Theatre on the Square
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Last night, I watched My Name is Lucy Barton at Theatre on the Square. I was alone, and I have to be honest upfront – this play touched on topics that were highly triggering for me. I want to start with a gentle caution to anyone considering watching it: please read the synopsis beforehand. If the themes resonate with you deeply, you might want to have someone with you for support. It’s not that the show shouldn’t be seen, but for me, it was a lot to process on my own.
That said, My Name is Lucy Barton is a powerful, moving piece of theatre, and I was deeply impressed. Julie-Anne McDowell, the lead and only actress, is phenomenal. Her ability to move seamlessly between the roles of Lucy and her mother keeps you captivated from start to finish. It’s one of those performances where you find yourself so immersed in her world that it’s impossible to look away.
The set design is simple and practical – nothing flashy, but it makes sense for the kind of intimate storytelling happening on stage. It allows the focus to stay on Lucy’s emotional journey, and I really appreciated that. There’s no need for distraction when the story itself is so gripping.
The show weaves through memories, emotions, and the complex ties that bind family members together, all while showing the cost of those ties. For me, personally, that’s where the triggers came in – the exploration of a scarred family life. But rather than seeing that as a flaw, I think it speaks to how well the play is crafted and performed. The themes hit hard because they are meant to. They challenge you, and I have to give credit to everyone involved for making that happen so effectively.
Ultimately, this is a show that I’d recommend. It might not be an easy watch for everyone, but it’s one worth seeing if you’re looking for theatre that moves you and makes you think. The 80-minute runtime flies by, and by the end, you feel like you’ve been on an emotional journey with Lucy herself.
If you do decide to go, prepare for a deeply introspective and touching performance. And, if you know the subject matter might affect you, consider going with someone for support. It’s a show that stays with you long after you’ve left the theatre.
My Name Is Lucy Barton – A synopsis
Lucy Barton wakes after an operation to discover – much to her surprise – her estranged mother at the foot of her bed. Over the course of her mother’s visit, she and Lucy seem to reconnect, but just below the surface lies the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life.
Lucy’s encounter with her mother brings into sharp focus her troubled childhood in rural Illinois and her current life in New York City. Knitting these powerful memories together, Lucy begins to come to terms with her past and her future as a writer.
My Name is Lucy Barton is a story for anyone who has questioned how family defines oneself. It is a powerful narrative of hope and triumph about a woman who finds her truth and reclaims her story.
My Name is Lucy Barton is on stage at Theatre On The Square in Sandton, Johannesburg for a limited season from Wednesday 9th – Saturday 26th October 2024.
Performances are Tuesdays – Fridays @ 19h30, Saturdays @ 16h00 & 19h30 and Sundays @ 15h00.
The show is 80 minutes in duration, with no interval, and carries a suggested age-appropriate restriction of no under 12s.
Tickets are R230 per person, with discounts available for senior citizens, students, scholars over 12 and groups of 10 or more. Bookings are via Computicket .
