Never Closer, at fortyfivedownstairs

Set against the backdrop of The Troubles* in Northern Ireland, this searing debut play for Australian writer Grace Chapple tells of the personal fallout for a group of friends.

With explosions heard at close quarters, events take place in Belfast, near the border, over three time frames.

Besties Dierdre (Enya Daly) and Niamh (Ella Ferris) are about to be separated because Niamh is moving to London. 

They are together at Dierdre’s place the night before Niamh is due to leave, along with others they hang with.

Among them is Dierdre’s boyfriend, Connor (Damon Baudin), Jimmy (Ben Walter), who has the hots for Dierdre, and Mary (Molly Holohan).

All are in high spirits.

The evening starts by Dierdre telling a ghost story and from there they simply party.

Then we cut to Christmas Eve 10 years later, when circumstances have changed considerably.

In spite of how much they cared for one another, Dierdre and Niamh haven’t stayed in touch, but they are about to come face to face again in Dierdre’s home.

You could figuratively cut the tension with a knife.

That extends to awkwardness between Jimmy and Dierdre.

Also, to a pathological hatred by Connor for the guy who accompanies Niamh, Englishman Harry (Karl Richmond), even though Connor wasn't even aware of Harry.

In the final stanza in this play, we cut to an interchange in what was Dierdre's home a generation on.

The lives of these friends in the first two Acts have very much been shaped by The Troubles. It has deeply affected them, causing animosity and division.

As much as they want to, it is impossible for them to live “a normal”, carefree life.

Grace Chapple weaves a compelling story of personal and political heartache and pain, with outbursts of anger amongst the interactions.

Not without humour and lighter moments, it is such a clever and mature piece of work, which exposes vulnerability.

The drinks (whisky) and smokes are always close at hand for these friends and foes.

The performances, led by Enya Daly, are uniformly excellent. 

With Irish accents, the actors fit comfortably into the naturalism required of them, so the audience becomes invested in their fate.

Karl Richmond provides some comic relief with his plum in mouth, exaggerated English pronunciation.

The set design by Dann Barber and Ella Butler is superb.

They have crafted an authentic, older style living room, literally a box, initially with curtains drawn, around which the audience sits on three sides. 

Sound and lighting play a significant part in proceedings.

So it is that sound designer Rachel Lewindon and lighting designer Sam Martin make their mark by adding gravitas.

Director Marni Mount holds us tightly throughout the 90-minutes without interval by keeping the action moving – from celebration to confrontation and shock.

The psychological impact of The Troubles is seared into our psyche through the individual circumstances that play out.

Never Closer is on at fortyfivedownstairs until 24th May, 2026.

* The Troubles, which began in the late 1960s, lasted until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.