A moving and amusing treat as Myra returns

REVIEW: 'Myra's Story' at New Theatre

For the second time this year, Cardiff theatre-goers were treated to a performance of the astonishing play Myra's Story at New Theatre last night (Thursday 2 October).

And 'treat' is the right word. This is an extraodinary play, which I was pleased to be able to see again - and which again received a standing ovation.

It's a fast-paced monologue, in which Myra (an absolutely stunning performance by Fiona Hewitt-Twamley playing every role) shares her life story to explain how she ended up sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin.

It's both moving and amusing, a story of more lows than highs, including heart-breaking tragedy.

But there are more laughs than tears - although there are plenty of both. And it's a story of poverty and struggle, and seeking escape in the bottle - a slippery slope that leads to alcoholism and homeslessness.

For a fuller review, please see this from its previous visit to Cardiff in February.

Again, it's a shame its stay is so brief - just a single night before it moves on. In each town, the play adopts a local charity helping homeless people, and this time in Cardiff it was Llamau, which aims to eradicate homelessness for young people and women in Wales.

Written and directed by Brian Foster and produced by him with Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Myra's Story was at the New Theatre for one night, as part of a tour of the UK. You'll find more details on the play's Facebook page here.

Review by Andy Weltch

Photo by Danny Kaan

We received free tickets for this performance in exchange for an honest review