This gruelling play, which began life as a 2021 film by actor-turned-writer/director Fran Kranz, is a sincere exploration of a process of restorative justice following a US school shooting. The stage version is realised with crystalline focus by Carrie Cracknell and acted with deep, pressing conviction by a central quartet of fine actors. It’s a tough watch – no one expects sunshine and happy endings with this subject matter – but that’s not the reason I kind of hated it.
The script is a heartfelt but manipulative and relentless act of hand-wringing in the face of America’s hapless obeisance before the gun lobby. I was constantly reminded of the headline on the article that satirical outlet The Onion publishes after each successive firearm atrocity in the States: “’No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Happens.”
