2022

The Glow

Written by Alistair McDowall

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Play Details

Context

Artistic Director
Vicky Featherstone

Dates Performed

Monday 24th January 2022
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Form

1-4 cast Beyond-linear narrative Original full length in English Starting Point

Play Details

Synopsis

A bare stage shifts through time and space, from medieval castles to modern psychiatric wards, all converging on a mysterious cave.

The Woman, an enigmatic figure who neither eats nor sleeps, moves through centuries of human history, constantly pursued, worshipped, and feared. As she struggles to understand her own identity and purpose, she encounters a cast of characters across time – from medieval knights to Victorian spiritualists to modern-day cult members – all seeking to use or understand her inexplicable powers.

McDowall’s play is a sweeping exploration of immortality, memory, and the human need for meaning. Through a non-linear narrative that spans millennia, The Glow challenges our perception of time and history, blurring the lines between myth and reality. The Woman’s journey becomes a metaphor for the collective human experience, questioning our relationship with the past and our hopes for the future. As the play builds to its cosmic conclusion, it grapples with fundamental questions about existence, the cyclical nature of human behavior, and the possibility of renewal in a world marked by suffering and wonder.