The small intimate space of the Park 90 is the perfect setting for this powerful play written by Matthew Campling. The Secondary Victim in the title refers to therapist Ali, who receives a letter stating the allegations of sexual misconduct by her, to a former client, Hugo. Ali's marriage is already strained, partly due to financial problems, and the cracks widen as her husband (Gary Webster) struggles to give the emotional support that whe needs. Meanwhile the client in question, Hugo, an emotionally damaged and manipulative young man, is seeing a new therapist, Jonny. As Hugo opens up about his feelings and intentions to discredit Ali, the audience is left questioning where the truth really lies.
The Secondary Victim is set in the round, with just four chairs on a bare stage. The simplicity of the staging works well in the space and gives clarity to the dialogue. The five strong actors weave between therapy sessions and private moments effortlessly thanks to the direction by Matthew Gould.
Susannah Doyle is perfectly cast as Ali, displaying empathy to her clients and vulnerability when revealing her version of the events to both her husband and her supervisor Marilyn (Natasha Bain). Ali continues to see a second client, Teddy, who despite his initial denial, eventually reveals the truth about his own sexual misconduct. Christopher Laishley allows the audience to focus on Teddy as a person rather than a problem and ultimately, despite his unacceptable actions, some understanding is elicited from the audience towards his character. Michael Hanratty gives an unsettling performance as Hugo, switching from charmer to psychotic client in an instant.
The relationship between a client and their therapist is based on confidentiality and trust. When that trust is broken on either side, what follows is bound to cause far reaching problems. For Ali, she not only has to convince the governing body of therapists, but also her husband and supervisor of her innocence. Hugo seems set to destroy her - but what is the real reason he wants to discredit her and seek such revenge? The play reminds us of the vulnerability a professional can find themselves in, when no one is there to witness what goes on behind the closed doors of a one-to-one session.
As a therapist himself for twenty years, Matthew Campling writes with obvious insight and takes the audience on an uncomfortable but fascinating journey, leading us to a climatic ending. Well worth a trip to Finsbury Park for this gem.
Lee Hall’s stage adaptation of Paddy Chayefsky’s multi award-winning movie from 1976, played to a packed and enthusiastic audience at last evening’s Press Night. The production’s box office success is already guaranteed for the duration of its run (although some day seats are available), due in no small part to the casting of Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Trumbo) as TV News anchorman, Howard Beale. The part won Peter Finch an Oscar for his portrayal which sadly had to be awarded posthumously.