The plot thickens
Family dynamics are rarely simple, but in Contact, the new play currently running at Òran Mór in Glasgow, they are flat-out intense. Written by Jonny Donahoe, the story follows a man simply called Son (played by Mark Barrett) who shows up at his mother’s home after an eight-month period of zero contact.
He’s got a big life update: his wife Alice is expecting a baby this Christmas. He’s lowkey hoping this milestone will finally help him move past the deep-seated resentment Mother (Blythe Duff) has held onto since he was six years old.
The vibes are off
When he arrives, he finds his mother in her back garden literally burning family photos on a bonfire. It’s giving major tension. While the dialogue between the two is sharp and occasionally funny, the subtext is heavy. Duff’s portrayal of Mother is icy and shows a total lack of sentimentality, while Barrett plays Son with a quiet, low-status calm to avoid setting her off.
It’s clear the shadow of an abusive father and years of generational trauma are keeping them trapped in a cycle that feels impossible to break. Even when they try to reach out, it’s like they just end up hurting each other more. Real talk—it’s a rough watch, but that’s the point.
Why it matters
Directed by Ben Standish, the production (part of A Play, a Pie and a Pint) is a masterclass in acting. It’s a reminder that sometimes the people we are most tied to are the ones who cause us the most stress. If you’re in Glasgow, you can catch it at Òran Mór until October 10, or catch it on its tour through October 23. It’s a heavy reminder to be mindful of how we treat the people in our orbit.
