The magnificent part about theatre is the examination of the human condition. The triumphs, the failures, the intricacies, and the grand sweeps that make up our lives are told in such artistic ways on the stage. But perhaps the most realistic, cathartic way to capture the human condition is through the example of pain.
As part of TheatreLAB’s Cellar Series, Rajiv Joseph’s two-person play Gruesome Playground Injuries provides vignettes of the lives of Kayleen and Doug, two lifelong friends who meet at different points in their lives from the ages of 8 to 38. Directed by Melissa Rayford, Gruesome Playground Injuries gives a deep investigation into the lives of two broken individuals who, because of their circumstances, keep inflicting pain on themselves and on each other, periodically seeking help and healing from the other person or being the very sources of pain, a facade for their deep love for one another.
Rachel Rose Gilmour and Jeffrey Cole, two extraordinarily talented Richmond theatre veterans, play the two sole characters within the show. They spoke about the many challenges that come with a two-person show, as well as a show that deals with such difficult, heavy subject matter. “We’re onstage the entire time. We don’t get a break. It’s a marathon of physical endurance and emotional intensity,” said Cole. “Any time you have two actors bouncing off of each other, you have to rely on one another. Just like Doug and Kayleen have to be there for each other, Jeff and Rachel have to be there for each other.” Gilmour added about the difficulties with the thematic material. “This has been the most challenging role and play I’ve ever done because I’ve had to actively disconnect myself from this character because I’ve never related to a character that much,” she said. “Leaving these rehearsals behind has been a huge challenge. Stepping up onstage and not letting my own emotions bleed in- pun intended- has been really difficult.”
Photo by Louise Ricks
The pain Doug and Kayleen feel are not simply emotional and mental. Riding a bike off a roof or bringing a blade to their skin, for example, are mentioned or seen in this show, bringing instances of physical pain that the two characters inflict and feel. It exemplifies how pain that is internal is just as tortuous as the external. However, these vivid images of physical pain can be quite triggering for certain audiences, and a content warning is necessary for this show. Additionally, adult language and themes and smoking of herbal cigarettes are brought onstage, so a warning for those is also important to bring up.
The most central factor to this show is the way pain plays a role not only in the lives of Kayleen and Doug, but also how it impacts their relationships with one another and with themselves personally. “They have love for one another, but they never connect or admit to each other at the same time that they’re in love with one another. They’re connected by pain, in a sense,” said Gilmour. “I think that the script is so beautiful because it illustrates how much pain and hurt and suffering and anguish people can go through and people can cause each other, but also the capacity for absolute love and devotion and tenderness and caring and connection,” said Cole.
With such heavy subject material, potential audiences might hesitate to seek out a show as dark as this. However, it is because of the sensitive material itself that should drive audiences to the box office. “This show is completely and utterly relatable from the most minor aspect of it to the most major aspect of it,” said Gilmour. “If you’ve ever felt love, if you’ve ever felt sadness, hurt, pain, or if you’ve ever felt suicidal, if you’ve ever felt worthless, if you’ve ever felt literally mad, out of your mind. Every single person who sits here and watches this can see a really raw and intricate representation of what it’s like to go through each and every one of those emotions.” Director Melissa Rayford added about the beautiful aspects of the show. “It’s a beautiful story that everyone can relate to. Maybe not all of it, but definitely parts of it. To me, this is just a beautiful love story. It’s hard and it’s painful to watch. But they love each other so much. That is what holds this whole thing together.”
Photo by Louise Ricks
Gilmour added that she strongly suggests audiences seek out comforting people or things that can ease the subsequent thoughts or feelings that could result from seeing the show. “I would say set yourself up beforehand with either someone you can talk to after the show, someone you can go to, something that’s soothing. Everything in this show is worth exploring and feeling and seeing. But it could trigger those things.” But Gilmour added that the central themes are not all for naught. “[They are] all ideas that are worth exploring.”
Cole perfectly encapsulated the show, the ways Doug and Kayleen wrangle with their problems, and how audiences could possibly relate to the characters. “If you have something that is scary and can hurt, if you bring it out into the light, it doesn’t necessarily make it less scary, but you can at least see what you’re dealing with. That takes away some of its power to hurt and to scare.”
Gruesome Playground Injuries opens June 11 and runs through June 23 at The Basement. Tickets are available at TheatreLAB’s website. A content warning for self harm, suicide, and other adult themes is emphasized, so this show may not be appropriate for children.
