Surrender – Arcola Theatre, London

Writer: Sophie Swithinbank

Directors: Phoebe Ladenburg and Sophie Swithinbank

Surrender closely follows a mother’s complex journey of grappling with her identity as she navigates a cruel justice system. The stage is bare apart from a recognisable institution-like blue fabric chair and a couple of suspended coat pegs with a red coat and a brown coat respectively. However, this minimalist design is brought to life by Phoebe Ladenburg’s performance, allowing us to see the world through the protagonist’s eyes.

This production perfectly combines Ladenburg’s performance, Sophie Swithinbank’s writing, and their collaborative direction. Ladenburg’s stage presence captivates the audience, even in silence. Her humour provides light relief at key moments, and her gentle yet probing connection with the audience provides much to think about. Ladenburg’s performance adds depth to the heart-wrenching moments, revealing a well of feelings and thoughts beneath the surface.

Swithinbank’s writing often has a confessional touch, early on warning us that “it’s not too late for you.” Her style, reminiscent of BBC’s Talking Heads, deeply explores psychology, allowing the audience to empathise while suspecting the unreliable narrator. The use of breaking the fourth wall and temporal jumps is initially confusing in the layered narrative, but trusting the audience to piece it all together creates a more intriguing and engaging experience. The writing becomes increasingly poetic as the story progresses, adding a moving layer to our understanding of the protagonist’s journey.

Stacey Nurse’s lighting employs identifiable fluorescent strips to effectively convey a sense of institutional oppression. Nurse’s skill in transforming the space emotionally allows us to access the protagonist’s fractured mind and memories. Similarly, Dominic Brennan’s subtle sound design uses familiar sounds to add an emotive charge to the memories the mother navigates and transitions the scenes seamlessly.

Surrender is certainly not an easy watch and exists for those who appreciate a nuanced drama. The sheer skill of the entire team brings to life a carefully crafted and moving story.

Runs until 13 July 2024