Orphans-Jermyn Street.

Orphans by Lyle Kessler is set in North Philadelphia in 1983. Packing an emotional punch and tells a story of learnt behaviour and an instinct for survival by any means. Their Mother has died and their father has left, life hasn’t been kind or fair. What happens when the parental love and guidance aren’t there? Orphans offers an insight into what can potentially happen when children are left to raise children.

Jermyn Street Theatre’s intimate space allows the audience a ringside observation seat into the lives of the orphaned brothers Treat played by Chris Walley and Philip (Fred Woodley Evans).

Treat is ruthless and dangerous who is trying to keep the “bills” paid by robbing from the rich Americans whom he encounters on the Streets of Philadelphia. He has installed the fear of the outside world into his younger brother Philip, by telling him he is allergic to the outside in a warped attempt to keep him safe and out of harm’s way.

He believes he has struck gold when he finds and kidnaps a drunken businessman, Harold played by Forbes Masson. Things are not as straightforward as Treat believes they will be.

Harold by default of his age and life experience takes over the house and his presence in the two young men’s lives is dysfunctional yet reassuring. Despite Treat’s objections and rebellious attitude he learns to accept Harold.

Sarah Beaton creates a set that has the feeling of neglect and poverty. Yet a glimpse into their life there when Mother was still alive in the form of the floral door curtain. The furnishings are simple and functional with a few boxes storing Treat’s daily findings away from the sight of his brother.

The rapport between Forbes, Walley, and Woodley Evans is exceptionally strong. By the time it came to the applause all three looked emotionally exhausted, which is unsurprising. An incredible range of actors who bring this dark and unsettling play to life under the guidance of director Al Miller.