Photo Credit Kirsten McTernan

It is not often that a play invites you into the performance space itself, but An Orange in the Subway achieves exactly that. The production was staged in Cardiff at Mackenzie Park, where the wooded area was transformed into the stage. This performance unfolded on the same level as the audience, placing us directly alongside the characters and blurring the line between stage and reality. Additionally, the performance was both intimate and atmospheric, making us witnesses to Cassie’s story.

At the heart of the storyline is Cassie, portrayed with depth and spirit by Mica Williams. Cassie is a woman navigating through the harsh struggles of homelessness, caught between survival on the streets and wrestling with questions of spirituality and her guardian angel. Mica Williams brings out Cassie’s sharp-edged defensiveness to protect herself and her raw vulnerability grappling with fear, guilt, and the feeling of being forgotten, making the duality of her performance absorbing.

The production also made wonderful use of multi-rolling, with actors transforming fluidly into different characters, each new encounter standing for a reflection of society, some people judgmental, others kind, and all of them shaping Cassie’s understanding of how people view her place in society. The characters who passed through her life clarified the reality that homelessness is an embedded part of everyday life and that her struggle was a product of the same community that surrounded her. By the end of the performance, her reconciliation with her friend, The Banker, felt deeply earned, a moment of peace that closed the story of her journey.

What uplifted the performance further was its design; the use of the props in so many creative ways allowed the wooded space itself to become part of the storytelling. This included the lighting choices, created by Lighting Designer – Katy Morison, which used oranges and cool blues to shape the atmosphere; the gentle music, by Composer – Tic Ashfield, played a vital role in welcoming us into the space; and the sound effects, which deepened scenes, created atmosphere, and grounded the audience into a believable world.

At its core, An Orange in the Subway is about how people grasp onto signs of hope, even in the darkest circumstances, and trust that something spiritual might take place to carry them through those moments of misfortune and hardship. This matter was embedded through Cassie’s journey, from her desperate search to find her guardian angel, to her concluding moments of reconciliation and peace. This performance shines a light on the overlooked struggles of homelessness while highlighting resilience, forgiveness, and the human connections that carry humanity through life. Owen Thomas’s writing, the production team’s vision, Mica Williams, Osain Lloyd, and François Pandolfo created an experience that I believe was thought-provoking, moving, and one that I can proudly say that lingers after the final moment.

You can find out more about the production and book tickets here