Manchester reference points—House of Fraser and Christmas Markets—are dropped with regularity in And It Rains. So, although the play’s catalyst is a shooting in a shopping centre, it is hard not to be reminded of the bombing at the Manchester Arena. However, while the aftermath of the Manchester Bombing—the spontaneous chorus in Albert Square, the endless floral tributes in St Anns Square and the One Love concert—is regarded as a life-enhancing demonstration of community resilience, events in And It Rains are divisive.
Although friends since childhood and now housemates, Liv (Ellena Begley) and Nadz (Aaliya Azam) have very different personalities. Liv conceals a needy personality behind an assertive, even domineering, exterior and is intolerant, close to dismissive, of events which do not have an immediate personal impact upon her. Nadz is more sensitive to the wider community but struggles to maintain a sense of purpose when her efforts to secure change via political protest have little practical effect.
A terrorist atrocity has an impact upon both friends. Nadz is emotionally devastated, bursts into tears at a vigil to honour the victims and develops an unhealthy obsession scrolling through news reports and online comments. Liv tries to take an interest but is distracted at the vigil by how much her feet hurt. Yet the event has an impact upon their friendship and resentments rise to the surface.
Although Joanna Nicks has previously contributed to the Vignettes anthology, And It Rains is her first full-length play and she clearly enjoys the experience. There are flickers of indulgence—scenes which prologue the play are played again in context. But And It Rains is a sensitive and perceptive study of emotionally damaged or politically disenchanted personalities.
The audience may not like Liv and Nadz (the former is realistically overbearing and the latter a bit of a wimp in tolerating her friend’s excesses) but we do come to understand the pressures which drive them. For Nadz, the relationship may be turning toxic and her ability to resolve the problem is limited—a mistimed kiss is clumsy and inappropriate. This is bad news for Liv who is increasingly dependent upon the friendship to boost her self-esteem and may need professional help to resolve her neurosis.
Ellena Begley and Aaliya Azam are convincing friends, with overlapping dialogue and teasing jokes. There is, however, no sense of events moving towards an inevitable conclusion. Rather director Roni Ellis creates an atmosphere of a world knocked off-centre and people overwhelmed by events. Scenes are choppy with characters stepping out of conversations to articulate their feelings directly to the audience. Scene changes are marked by the cast eerily walking backwards as if in a reverse film.
The acting is of a very high standard. Aaliya Azam plays Nadz as someone growing aware she is stuck in a tough situation; she seems to be walking on eggshells around Liv, concealing a job interview knowing her friend will take it as an act of betrayal. Aaliya Azam portrays Nadz’s disappointment and hurt with some scorching monologues direct to the audience.
Ellena Begley shows how Liv’s self-destructive behaviour is rooted in deep unhappiness and a degree of self-loathing, fully aware she is alienating her friend but unable to restrain herself. It is a highly physical performance with Begley displaying an exhausting full-blown panic attack. Whilst Nadz may have achieved a degree of relief at the conclusion, Begley’s worn-out posture suggests Liv knows she has a massive struggle ahead.
And It Rains is a powerful play and a fine showcase for the talents of all involved.