Heaven

Missed opportunities and a chance encounter are just two of the themes that wrestle for domination of Simon Stephens’ new script Heaven. Directed by the Traverse’s Artistic Director, Dominic Hill, the play follows two very different men and their very different reasons for finding themselves in Edinburgh Airport. A trivial argument over littering in the airport departure lounge leads to a philosophical debate between two strangers, the Turin-bound Sean (Robert Jack) and the mysterious Kyle (Sean Scanlan). As their awkward encounter continues, it becomes clear that Kyle knows much more about Sean than he should. But as Sean’s plane prepares to depart, conversation turns to confession as Sean reveals his reasons for leaving Scotland.

Originally performed as a reading by the Traverse for their Theatre For Breakfast season at the 2009 Fringe, Heaven is a witty and intriguing story of escape, desire and faith, as the play questions the possibilities of divine intervention without once mentioning religion. It is Stephens’ decision not to include any explicit mention of belief or a higher power that makes this play so refreshing; free from the constraints of modern religion, Heaven is able to explore the human side of spirituality and emotion.

While Stephens’ script covers topics as diverse as the environment, vanity, healthy living and travel, it’s the overall ambiguity of the play and its allusions to the philosophical, the unavoidable challenges of growing old and awareness of your own mortality that makes Heaven so fascinating. Under Hill’s direction, both Jack and Scanlon excel in their roles as the guilt-ridden traveller and eccentric older gentleman, but it is Scanlon’s turn as the wise, opinionated Kyle that provides a highlight.