Photo Credits Kirsten McTernan

Despite being bombarded by borderline torrential rain and aggressive gusts of wind, The Other Room’s production of “An Orange In The Subway” certainly wasn’t dampened by the bad weather. With an outstanding leading performance from Mica Williams, the play raised important questions about homelessness and whether or not there truly is some other-wordly being watching out for us. 

The play follows Cassie (Williams), a homeless young woman who is convinced she has a guardian angel- she keeps being left oranges in the subway. Accompanied by the incredibly talented Osian Lloyd and François Pandolfo, who had mastered multirole, the trio didn’t let the weather or the subject matter stop them from delivering a moving interpretation of the play and its characters. Williams’ talent for handling dark, gritty emotions really shined in this role- at some points you could forget that she wasn’t really Cassie and that her sharp defensiveness was merely acting. During her reunion with one of Lloyd’s characters, known only as The Banker, you could feel the desperation in her voice as she asked him all of the questions she was dying to know the answers to. With both the start and end of the performance featuring Cassie and The Banker, the small detail illustrated the never-ending cycle that is life on the streets. Additionally, Lloyd and Pandolfo’s distinction between their multitude of characters was commendable, with a particular highlight being Pandolfo’s portrayal of the all-too-realistic drunk girl. 

One of the most interesting characteristics of this production was the outdoor setting- Mackenzie Park’s trees arching overhead provided a serene, secluded backdrop for the play. Upon entry, we were given the option between sitting on tarp or cardboard- no matter what option you chose, you were only ever about two meters away from the actors and the show, which heightened the authenticity and conveyed the messages of the performance. As we were all on the same level as the stage, it was easy to immerse yourself in the show, with the actors even coming into the audience and breaking the fourth wall at some points.  

If anything, the dismal weather conditions added to the drama of the performance. The inner English student in me wanted to point out the pathetic fallacy in the climate- during the most intense moments, the rain seemed to get heavier, the temperature seemed to drop by a few degrees, and the wind pelted my umbrella (which I was very grateful for). The lighting choices- made by lighting designer Katy Morison- further set the scene, with warm oranges flooding the performance space from below, and light blues occasionally tinting the scene.  

Even though I ended up getting absolutely drenched, I left Cardiff that night with a million thoughts swirling around my head regarding the performance- all positive. It certainly wasn’t an experience I’m going to forget any time soon.

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

All Photo Credits Kirsten McTernan

A cold and windy night was the perfect setting for The Other Room’s newest co-production ‘An Orange in the Subway’. Performed outside in Mackenzie Park, in collaboration with The Wallich. The show really brought in all the senses as the audience sat on the ground, watching the actors as they deftly performed Owen Thomas’ story.

The performances were incredibly impressive. Mica Williams’ Cassie was our focus and hardly had a moment to breath in a very intense hour of performance. The desperation, confusion and loneliness of the character shone, and Williams’ physicality added to the creation of the world we joined. François Pandolfo’s multi-rolling, added layers to the story and the different characters he can create are always impressive. Ranging from the recognisable to the absurd, we glimpsed the breadth of those that form Cassie’s world of Cardiff- a particular highlight was the very drunk girl we could all recognise. Osian Lloyd’s performance was a stand out for me, I was so impressed with the nuance and differences between the characters portrayed. The Bankers’ opening lines immediately drew us in and the shifting between worlds and characters throughout kept you engaged and part of it.

This was hugely helped by the setting, and kudos needs to go to Katy Morison’s lighting and Tic Ashfields sound. Both made you aware what you were seeing was a performance, but heightened the action and created the world of angels as well as embracing the natural world and darker nights we are heading into.

Whilst there were so many positives, the show has made me question my expectations around art for arts sakes and the responsibilities of showing a topic such as homelessness. If the show wasn’t in collaboration with The Wallich, I would be tempted to find some of the characters as closer to stereotypes rather than full humanity. Owen Thomas’ verse was hard to immediately grasp, moving us from feeling the show was made from a point of truth.

The strongest moment of the play I felt was Cassie sharing with the statue of Nye Bev that she’d tried the support out there, but all the rules and curfews were too much. This was a great insight into the complex struggles that exist between the help that is out there and the people most in need, as well as the power of autonomy. I expected to see more about what help does exist and the next steps for the characters, but then that might have felt kitsch and shoved in, when for so many people there might not be a happy ending.

Leaving, I struggled to decide what the outcome of the piece was. Now, not all theatre needs a call to action or an objective I know, but especially when it was so based in rough sleeping not just in subject but in setting, I was expecting to leave and feel something. Some sort of next step or understanding of the struggles people face and an idea of what may help.

“Not just a deeply moving play, but a rare, connected experience of homelessness between the audience and the actors onstage.“

It started with my forgotten umbrella and ended with one of the most authentic and unique theatre experiences.
Following the story of Cassie, a homeless girl lost and ruined, our emotions become escalated from watching this live performance of ‘An Orange in the Subway’ as we experience sitting on the ground on tarps and rain falling down for the ultimate homeless experience, immersing us with the incredible actors and witnessing their same struggles with them.

Owen Thomas’ writing will leave you wondering and in a rapt effect about how other people in this world are living, clinging to any hope and enthusiasm in what feels a dead-end life. The play will have you laughing the one second, and teary-eyed the other as we witness the harsh reality of being homeless.

Isolated and fearful, the main character of Cassie, played captivatingly by Mica Williams, is determined there is more to her life, someone or something out there looking out for her. And as we embark on her story, the incredible multi-rolling of both actors: François Pandolfo and Osian Lloyd, who has actual experience of being homeless, will expose the nerve wracking and heart-breaking encounters homeless people deal with every day.

In partnership with a Welsh homelessness charity The Wallich, Dan Jones’ perfect directing and the passionate acting brought to life the play and is giving homeless people the voice that is always subtly ignored when they plead on the side of the street.

You can find out more about the production here