In Heaven, Eugene O’Brien tenderly unpacks the quiet ache of a marriage stretched thin by years of silent compromise. Currently playing at Southwark Playhouse under Jim Culleton’s thoughtful direction, the story transports us to a wedding in rural Ireland, where laughter and nostalgia hide deeper wounds.
Mairead (Janet Moran) and Mal (Andrew Bennett) are bound by familiarity but drifting apart in their hearts. Mairead’s sharp, no-nonsense exterior masks an ocean of what-ifs, stirred when she encounters an old flame. Moran’s performance is both moving and razor-sharp, capturing Mairead’s painful internal tug-of-war between duty and forgotten dreams. You feel the weight of everything left unsaid.
Mal, in contrast, bears a quieter torment. He’s grappling with his identity and faith, both twisted by societal and religious pressures. Bennett’s portrayal is deeply affecting, his restrained delivery revealing a man slowly unravelling beneath the surface.
A marriage caught between two heartbeats – too close to escape, too distant to hold on
Alternating monologues drive the narrative, a structural choice that works wonders here. It lays bare the emotional distance between Mairead and Mal, emphasising how even those closest to us can remain unknowable. Their separate reflections deepen the play’s bittersweet exploration of connection and loss.
Culleton’s minimalist approach is well-judged, giving O’Brien’s rich dialogue the breathing room it deserves. Zia Bergin-Holly’s stripped-back set serves as a versatile canvas, moving effortlessly between locations while letting the raw emotional beats shine.
O’Brien’s script is a delicate balancing act of humour and heartbreak. The local gossip and wedding antics bring warmth and levity, but beneath the banter lies the persistent throb of regret. This is a play that understands the contradictions of life in a tight-knit community.
Final Thoughts ★★★★
Would I recommend Heaven? Yes. Though it’s a reflective experience that hits hardest if you’ve ever felt trapped by your own choices. With standout performances from Moran and Bennett, it’s a meditation on love, loss, and the longing for something more. Sometimes, what haunts us most are the dreams we dared not pursue.
Playing at Southwark Playhouse until 22 February 2025.
Disclaimer: A complimentary ticket was provided in return for an honest and unbiased review.
