Roe McDonnell
Mortal Sin is a story for the ages, depicting how two best friends pulled off the impossible. Benjamin Riley’s script is excellent, weaving together the friends’ stories at a time when being themselves was hard to manage. Both of them are different, but at least they found each other.
Isolde Fenton stuns as Peggy Kelly, a young girl with dreams of getting a degree and running away from the small Irish town she’s always known. With determination coursing through her veins, she’s got the strongest moral compass of the two characters, and will do absolutely anything to protect Colm. Fenton brings her to life with poise and depth throughout.
Riley breaks our hearts as Colm, taking on the world with his best friend by his side, along with a grave secret. Riley is delicate with his character, as we watch Colm grow into his own – both through his identity and confidence. He opens himself up to the world, and we are there to witness.
Fenton and Riley’s chemistry is palpable. Their timing, playing over ten different combinations of characters, including the terrifying Sister Assumpta herself, renders Mortal Sin faultless. While protest does not become the key theme until later on, watching the play as the story develops makes it both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
The epilogue’s dialogue, as well as its direction, results in not a dry eye in the audience. If you haven’t heard of these two, or this play, then watch out, because this one’s going places.
You can catch Mortal Sin at Gilded Balloon Teviot from August 20-31 (Not 24) at 12:20. Tickets are available at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival box office.
Hannah Hamilton
Ellen Leslie
Maia Kahn
