Everybody knows Myra. Or, at least, everyone has walked past a Myra – someone whose life has fallen apart to the point that they are living on the streets, a shell of their former self. It is all too easy to hear the hacking cough, see the dirty fingernails and spot the empty vodka bottle and walk on by, but everyone has a story to tell. And this is Myra’s Story, written by Derry playwright, Brian Foster, and inspired by some of the women who lived on the streets of his hometown.
Actress Fíonna Hewitt-Twamley cuts a lonely figure in this powerful one-woman play which has a raw humour, despite the dark subject matter. Myra has stayed the night in a hostel and has been rudely awakened by the manager asking her to rise and shine. “I’m dead, fuck off”, she replies. So begins a harrowing 90 minute tale of how she came to be here.
Hewitt-Twamley is fantastic and the writing by Brian Foster is clever. Although it is a one-woman show, the audience are introduced to a myriad of entertaining characters. Particularly memorable are the couple she meets in a GP surgery who provide some light relief in what is otherwise a hard-hitting play.
Homelessness is much more widely talked about than it was back when Foster wrote this play (originally titled Maire: A Woman of Derry) in 2002. Many theatre productions have covered the topic and that lessens the shock value, although certainly not the sympathies and sadness that it is still happening in the UK today. Having been swallowed by the beast of addiction, Myra lost everything she had and, although today the actress can take a bow to rapturous applause and Fringe-goers can get on their way to their next show, what Foster wants us to remember is that there are ‘Myras’ everywhere – and remember we shall.
I went to see myras story for the first time on 18th in Edinburgh, I must say it hit the mark for me, I love it and it’s a precious true story, will be back to see it next year if still available.please come back,
Went to see Myra’s story today. A very powerful play and a fabulous performance by Fionna Hewitt-Twamley. We were totally captured from the start of the story till the end. Congratulations and well done to all involved. Hope you come back next year.
Skilfully written and beautifully and sensitively acted with Just the right amount of humour required to prevent the audience from becoming total emotional wrecks. A very difficult balance successfully achieved. The best play we have seen this year At The Fringe or anywhere else.
A very well written piece with wonderful adaptive by Fionna. Well done to all concerned. We laughed and cried and laughed and cried again…..
Fantastic Show-well worth a visit.
Went to see myras story with my mum we laughed and cried in equal measure an amazing story and fionna is a superb multi actress fantastic show
Went to see this today at the Assembly Halls Edinburgh.
What a tour de force. You laugh, you cry, you laugh again and no spoilers but you cry again.
If theatre had Oscars this would deserve several, but mostly best actress.
Place was packed and she received a well deserved standing ovation.
Myra’s Story brilliant production . Touching & amusing!
Make you think again as we pass a Myra on the street.
Well done for opening a place to live for the unfortunate souls to live.