The Dry House is a deeply dramatic play exploring the devastating effects of alcoholism on two sisters.
Chrissy (Alison Bruce) lives in a small flat in a border town in Northern Ireland. As the play opens she is suffering the awful symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. She is sweating, shaking uncontrollably and desperately anxious. She sits in a dreary living room, dirty clothes strewn everywhere, stains on the carpet, waiting for her sister Claire (Beatriz Romilly) to turn up with some beer to subdue her agony.
Claire arrives with the promised drink, but there’s a catch, Chrissy must promise to go to a dry house to sober up as soon as she finishes the last can. Neither sister at this point believes that Chrissy will follow through with her promise. As the day progresses the sisters share stories and argue as each tries to out manoeuvre the other. Chrissy manipulates, harasses and bargains to keep the status quo, while Claire nags and cajoles to try and get her sister to agree to enter rehab.
There is a third presence in the story – the memory, or possibly ghost of Chrissy’s daughter Heather (Zoe Crane) who died four years ago in a car accident. It is this tragedy that Chrissy claims drove her to alcoholism, but it is clear this is not entirely true as multiple generations of her family have been cursed with the disease.
The script by Eugene O’Hare is gripping, dense, and very sharp. There is a dark humour at times but the play pulls no punches in exploring the tragedy of substance abuse and the underlying social and familial issues that prey on the vulnerable in society.
This is story full of secrets and some very ugly occurrences in the past of each of the characters that ultimately led to the unravelling of this family. But it is not all tragic. Despite the recriminations, the arguments, the anger, there is something deeper. A powerful and visceral love that might, just might, lead to salvation.
In the hands of the cast, this story is stunningly told. Bruce’s depiction of Chrissy is incredible. From the opening scene where Chrissy is suffering withdrawal, through the awful arguments, bargaining and grief, Bruce is simply masterful. Romilly likewise has a command and versatility in emotion that is gripping. Crane, a relative newcomer to the stage, is strong and convincing as the much loved daughter who hides her own deep and wretched secret. Combined these three actors bring a depth and strong frisson that makes a dark story believable and authentic. There are no cliches here, this is simply great acting and great drama.
Ultimately, The Dry House shows that honesty, courage, and the redemptive power of love can offer hope in the darkest of times. This is a powerful must-see story delivered by masterful artists.
THE DRY HOUSE
4-15th November 2025
Basement Theatre, Auckland
