Review: Myra's Story

Some shows are all about the central performance. Myra’s Story, a bitter tale of loss, addiction and homelessness, falls into this category. It’s performed by Fionna Hewitt Twamley, who commits every last sinew to the role of Myra, as well as giving voice to a collection of other characters. From optimistic first love to shuddering despair, from gruff older men to squeaky young chancers, Hewitt Twamley captures it all with precision and verve.

The play is not new – Brian Foster’s script was written in 2002 and this production has already had successful runs at the Fringe in 2019 and 2021 – but sadly its relevance hasn’t diminished. Its protagonist Myra, an alcoholic living rough on the streets of Dublin, takes us back through the events that have led her to the bench where we first meet her. We hear about a tough childhood, followed by a giddy romance and a glimpse of a happy family life. But Myra remains haunted by “the beast” – the alcoholism that killed her ancestors and that eventually catches up with her.

The show’s message is that any of us could be Myra. Foster urges compassion for those who find themselves on the streets, asking audience members to put ourselves in their shoes. But Myra’s Story is a very individual take on homelessness, focusing on the specific combination of personal circumstances and family history that determines Myra’s path. For all the play’s admirable campaigning spirit, there’s a limited sense of the bigger, structural forces that leave so many people sleeping rough.