Young Luca’s life is a prism of anxiety and sadness. Let down by those
who should support him, he moves timorously from one frightening
scenario to another: an encounter with an angry swan in the park on
the way to school; a fight with bullies who take exception to his
being first in the milk queue; a mother wracked by grief and a father
who is about to leave home. As a thunder storm rages outside his
bedroom, the boy’s fears threaten to overwhelm him. However, he still
has one trick left up his sleeve.

Following in the footsteps of Dorothy and Alice, Luca calls upon his
own imagination to help where reality has failed so badly. Waking the
next morning, he finds that his prayers have been answered: a bright
sun has chased the rain away, filling the world with light. His joy at
this change in fortunes is palpable, but as with Oz and Wonderland, it
is not long before a more sinister side to the fantasy begins to
emerge.

Skillfully balancing subtlety with emotional punch, John Cronin’s
performance brings the perfect blend of vulnerability and foreboding
to Nick Lee’s searing text. Precision directing by Matt Torney ensures
that not an image or movement is wasted, whilst beneath the lines
Lioba Petrie’s live cello accompaniment underscores the action
beautifully. Highly recommended.

Tom Donegan