Some families stay close, decade after decade, while for others there is a natural growing apart. Then there are those where there’s an abrupt breaking of ties, with no discernible reason for it… Written by Simon Longman and directed by Julia Stubbs, Sparks begins with the reappearance of Jess (Emma Riches) on the doorstep of her sister Sarah (Lisa Minichiello)…

In a situation like this, any number of scenarios could take place, with an escalation of heated words being a real possibility. Instead, we find Sarah is largely silent to begin with, as she gauges if this ‘surreal’ situation is ‘real’. If Sarah is taciturn, Jess is as loquacious as can be, filling up the empty void with non-stop verbiage to alleviate the tension. The fishbowl that Jess has brought with her also adds to the ‘surrealness’ of the circumstances.

Both actors have very different ‘requirements’ for their roles: Sarah’s ‘stillness’ versus Jess’s effervescence, but this all adds to the mystery. Answers in this play aren’t ‘spoonfed’ to the audience. Is Jess a ghost or after 12 years apart, a figment of Sarah’s imagination – conjured out of loneliness?

In a play about siblings – specifically sisters – Sparks ‘takes the road less travelled’, leaving the audience to ponder if the ‘distance’ between them was there before Jess’s absence or if Sarah’s disposition is a result of what’s happened. It also asks the audience how would you react and what would be ‘appropriate’ when someone who has ‘ghosted you’, wants back into your life…

© Michael Davis 2024

Sparks runs at the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre until 13th July.