Review: Faith Healer at The Kings Arms is ‘a stunningly performed narrative of grief and identity’

We all have different versions of ourselves and even though we may try to be authentic, we all may end up ‘putting on a show.’ Attending a job interview is a performance, as is delivering an agenda item in a meeting or serving a customer.

When we pass away, a version of us is presented to mourners and most of the time, the flaws are removed, and we go out as pure perfection. And even sinners become saints.

Faith Healer at Kings Arms Salford

Brian Friel’s wonderful Faith Healer takes the audience on a journey through four monologues. Each one presents a version of events, and they all differ but after bingeing on them all, you, as the audience, can come to your own conclusions about these three colourful characters.

First up is Frank, and this simple name under plays the complexities of this interesting character. So, let’s give him his stage name ‘The Fantastic Frank Hardy’, the faith healer of the title. Colin Connor plays the con artist or miracle worker, depending on your point of view and he does so with aplomb.

He delivers the first monologue, and he locks in with you, inviting you into his world and he becomes The Greatest Showman before you very eyes, seducing and mesmerising you with his fantastical tales of healing and loss.

Vicky Binns as Grace

He refers to his mistress Grace, and we realise that she has the weight of loss weighting heavy on her, like pockets full of big stones, dragging her down as she wades through the water that is her life. Sam Baxter’s superb lighting design brings on the arrival of Grace (played with conviction by Vicky Binns), who has been sat patiently on the right side of the stage, the whole way through this first set of tales.

Vicky Binns begins her delivery as a humble woman who goes through her daily routine and talks about her job at the local library. Then we realise she is ‘married’ to Colin, and she begins to unravel. Simmering with regret in her wide eyes, she boils over several times as she wrestles her admiration for Colin and the fact that she has stood still, as he describes her as the other woman to others. She is the perma-smiling assistant, as he works his magic.

Exploring the patterns of depression

Deeply affecting, Binns explores the unpredictable patterns of depression, as Grace battles to seek the truth but she is unable to find it, as the loss she experienced is just too overwhelming and stifling. This is a beautiful performance and one to savour.

The wonderful thing about Friel’s clever (but never smug) writing is that you believe aspects of each story, but you become aware of different points of view, and the lack of self awareness that we may all experience from time to time.

Colin’s manager Teddy is referred to by both him and Grace in their sections. And he is up next, and he is almost exactly as he is described. But he is far funnier, thanks to Rupert Hill who moves around the space like a keen as mustard Covent Garden performer. He wins you over instantly, as each of his carefully curated stories has a punchline lovingly loaded for laughter.

David Thacker production

David Thacker’s pitch perfect production is rich with small details which give you tiny morsels to chew on, getting you ready for the main course. And when the revelations appear, they remain deeply personal and intimate, as he handles grief and loss with a delicate touch.

Having the actors move amongst the audience means that the characters connect with you, and the Kings Arms space feels like a courtroom, and you are invited to sit and deliberate.

It is only mid January, but this is such a gorgeous and well-crafted production that I am sure it will be named as one of the best of the year.

Catch it if you can.

Tickets for Faith Healer at Kings Arms

Faith Healer is at the Kings Arms until 19^th January and you can book tickets here